UCI insists cycling reform projects 'must be under its aegis' as consultation begins

The UCI has formally launched a period of consultation with race organisers, teams and riders with the stated of aim of “strengthening the long-term appeal” of men’s and women’s professional cycling.

The initiative was announced three weeks ago following the UCI Management Committee meeting ahead of the Cyclocross World Championships in Hulst. 

On Tuesday, the UCI signalled that it had formally asked representative groups the AIOCC, the AIGCP and the CPA to contribute to the consultation, while it also extended an invitation for submissions from individual riders, team owners and national federation representatives.

“Stakeholders are invited to submit their views and proposals on key topics - including the economic model, the calendar and participation rules, fan engagement, safety and the credibility of sporting results - by 30 April 2026,” read the UCI statement.

The UCI’s consultation comes after the governing body last year rejected the touted One Cycling reform project, declaring it to be “incompatible” with existing regulations. 11 WorldTour teams as well as organisers Flanders Classics and RCS Sport were reportedly willing to join the project, which had a planned 2026 start date and proposals for new races, but the UCI Management Committee voted against the idea in June 2025.

In a letter to teams, UCI president David Lappartient warned that they risked losing their WorldTour licences if they pursued the project. However, Lappartient subsequently told Wielerflits that the UCI would itself enter into discussions with the Saudi investors who were prepared to finance the One Cycling project. SURJ, the sporting wing of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), had reportedly been willing to invest €300 million across three seasons in the One Cycling project.

In January, Escape Collective reported that Pinarello-Q36.5 owner Ivan Glasenberg and Soudal-QuickStep owner Zdeněk Bakala were among those holding discussions regarding a new economic reform project for professional cycling.

“Various discussions on the future of our sport have taken place, and certain stakeholders have launched initiatives aimed at reforming professional road cycling. These initiatives were either abandoned after a few years or failed to come to fruition,” Lappartient wrote in a letter to teams, riders and race organisers published on Tuesday.

“The lack of prior consultation and the absence of consensus around the proposed models most certainly contributed to these shortcomings. Such projects require thorough consultation with all cycling stakeholders and, above all, must be carried out under the aegis of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).”

In his letter Lappartient also highlighted the rise in team budgets and “a notable widening of the gap between teams,” as well as the rising costs for race organisers. Stakeholders were invited to submit their proposals on five topics: calendar and participation, the economic model, fan engagement, safety, and the integrity of results.

“Cycling is a hugely popular sport. However, its media exposure and the revenues it generates do not match its popularity,” wrote Lappartient. “There is considerable room for improvement. We are convinced that this potential can only be realised through consultation with all stakeholders and the establishment of a consensual structure, based on a balance between the historical strengths of our sport and an approach adapted to future challenges.”