UCI actively monitoring betting platforms for race-fixing threats

"The UCI carries out regular monitoring of the risk of competition manipulation due to betting, in particular, by analysing the bets put on offer by betting operators and any unusual betting patterns or sporting conduct," the federation told Velo.

The confirmation comes amid high-profile betting scandals in mainstream sports, including recent cases in the NBA where players allegedly influenced games for betting purposes after an investigation from the United States authorities, as officials alleged the player in question faked an injury and collaborated with others to bet based on non-public information about athletes and teams.

UCI president David Lappartient has identified gambling-related corruption as one of three major threats to cycling's integrity, alongside doping and technological fraud. Since taking office in 2017, he has prioritised safeguarding the sport from betting manipulation.

In 2019, Lappartient introduced Article 1.1.088 to the UCI rulebook, which states: "All license holders are forbidden to be involved, directly or indirectly, in the organisation of bets on cycling events or to place any bets, themselves or through an intermediary, on events in which they could participate."

Violations of the UCI's anti-gambling rules can result in a two-year suspension and loss of racing license, with cases potentially referred to legal authorities for criminal charges.

The governing body has also tightened regulations around betting-related sponsorships, with a UCI statement explaining: "The UCI Regulations also strictly govern the sponsorship of betting operators in cycling not authorizing the stakeholders of cycling to give any visibility to betting operators which organize bets that are susceptible of posing risk to the sport."

Particularly concerning are "spot" and "head-to-head" bets, which insiders identify as the most easily manipulated wager types. The UCI has established strict prohibitions against these forms of betting.

The federation encourages anyone with knowledge of suspicious activity to report through UCI SpeakUp, its confidential whistleblower platform for ethical breaches.

While cycling has so far avoided a major betting scandal, the UCI's proactive monitoring approach reflects growing awareness that the sport must remain vigilant as online gambling continues to expand globally.