Cycling
How does the UCI Cycling World Championship work?
Cycling is regulated by the UCI. But how does its world championship work?
The UCI Cycling World Championships are the global competitions organised by the International Cycling Union (UCI) to determine the world champions in each cycling discipline. Road, track, mountain bike, cyclo-cross, BMX, esport... the UCI world championships cover every type of tarmac. While it's easy to spot the winner's rainbow jersey, it's harder to get to grips with the inner workings behind it.
01
What is the UCI Cycling World Championship?
First of all, it is important to distinguish three different realities under the term "UCI cycling world championships".
The annual world championships by discipline are organised each year, in a different country, for each cycling sport: road, track, mountain bike, cyclo-cross, BMX, gravel, etc. In each discipline, riders represent their country and compete for the title of world champion - and the right to wear the famous rainbow jersey.
The UCI Cycling World Championships (also known as the "Super Mondials") is a mega-event created in 2023 that brings together all these annual championships in a single venue. It is held every 4 years, the year before the Olympic Games. The first edition took place in Glasgow (Scotland) in August 2023, with 190 world titles awarded across 13 disciplines.
The UCI World Rankings are drawn up throughout the season on the basis of the major professional races. This is where you can follow Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe and see riders like Wout Van Aert win Paris-Roubaix.
Wout Van Aert finally puts Paris-Roubaix in his pocket
© Red Bull Content Pool
These three formats are all governed by theUnion Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the international cycling federation founded in 1900 and based in Aigle, Switzerland. The Union Cycliste Internationale is the only body authorised to award the title of world champion in any cycling discipline.
02
A little history
Ben Zwiehoff on the climb
© Red Bull Content Pool
The first recognised world cycling championships were held in Chicago in 1893, organised by the International Cycling Association. The UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) then took over in 1900 to become the sole world federation.
The road world championships began in 1921, following a decision taken at a UCI congress. Since then, the event has gradually expanded to include new disciplines: the individual time trial was introduced in 1994, and the mixed relay in 2019.
In 2023, in Glasgow, the UCI has taken an unprecedented step by combining 13 individual world championships into a single event for the first time - the UCI Cycling World Championships - with 190 world titles awarded in a fortnight.
03
The events
For the first edition in 2023, thirteen events have been organised:
- BMX Freestyle Flatland
- BMX Freestyle Park
- BMX Racing
- Indoor Cycling
- Track Cycling
- Road Cycling
- Gran Fondo
- Para-cycling Track
- Para-cycling Road
- Trials
- Mountain Bike Cross-country
- Mountain Bike Marathon
- Mountain Bike Downhill
In 2027, the UCI will add six disciplines, for a total of 19 races:
- Esport Cycling
- Junior Track Cycling
- Enduro
- Gravel
- Polo bike
- Pump track
04
How are the World Championships run?
Remco Evenepoel in full concentration
© Red Bull Content Pool
There's a reason why these events take place a year before the Olympic Games: they're very similar in format and ambition. For cycling, it's the biggest gathering of its kind in the world.
The UCI Cycling World Championships are open to both professionals and amateurs. These "Super Worlds" take place over two weeks, at several venues. Each athlete represents his or her country - not a commercial team.
The categories of competitors vary according to the discipline, but generally include :
- Elite men and women: professional riders at the top of their discipline
- Espoirs (U23): riders under the age of 23, particularly in road racing and time trials. The U23 category was introduced in 1996 to replace the amateur category. It has its own world events, separate from the elite category.
- Juniors men and women: young talent (under 19)
- Para-cyclists: disabled athletes, with their own categories and classifications
05
The classification and prizes for the winners
Team leader, Primož Roglič
© Sebastian Marko/Red Bull Content Pool
In each event, the prizes are the same for men and women.
- Each discipline has its own prize money. In 2023, the athletes shared out a total of 124,250 euros.
- Medals (gold, silver, bronze) are awarded to the riders on the podiums.
- The winning athlete gets the famous rainbow jersey for his or her discipline
At the end of the event, a medal table is drawn up for each country. In 2023, Great Britain collected a total of 100 medals, 47 of them gold, to take first place. The French finished just behind, 21 medals behind.
Note: the rainbow jersey is specific to its category. A world champion in the road race does not wear it in the time trial, and vice versa. Former world champions can keep a rainbow border on the collar and sleeves of their jersey until the end of their career.
06
UCI World Championship 2027: a different type of programme in France
The second edition of the UCI Cycling World Championships will take place in France! In Haute-Savoie to be precise. New events will be introduced. However, track cyclists will be deprived of the mountain class. The events will take place in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, a long way from the beautiful landscapes of south-east France.
From 24 August to 5 September 2027, the best cyclists in their discipline will compete to decide the future world champions.
FAQ
What is the route for the Cycling World Championships in 2027?
The 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships will be held in Haute-Savoie from 24 August to 5 September. The track cycling events will take place in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. The route of the road race will be announced by the UCI at a later date.
What does the International Cycling Union do?
The International Cycling Union (UCI) is the organisation responsible for the development and promotion of cycling. It works with the federations and acts as an arbitrator, as it did during the Armstrong affair.
Who has been the world road cycling champion since 2025?
The title is awarded each year at the UCI Road World Championships, held in a different city each year - Kigali (Rwanda) in 2025, then Montreal (Canada) in 2026. The current road world champion is Tadej Pogačar.
Who is the world cycling time trial champion?
For three consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025), Remco Evenpoel (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe) is the time trial world champion.
Which channel should I watch the World Cycling Championships on?
The France Télévisions group has obtained the rights to broadcast the event. The championships will be broadcast on their channels and digital platforms.
What is the start date of the 2027 UCI Cycling World Championships?
The next competition will take place from 24 August to 5 September 2027, one year before the Los Angeles Olympic Games.
What is the difference between the UCI World Championships and the UCI World Cup?
The UCI World Championships are annual competitions (or quadrennial competitions for the "Super Worlds") where riders represent their country and compete for the title of World Champion. The winner takes home the rainbow jersey.
The UCI World Cup is a series of professional races contested throughout the season by commercial teams (such as Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe). It results in an overall classification, but does not award the title of "world champion".
How many world titles are awarded at the UCI Cycling World Championships?
At the inaugural event in Glasgow in 2023, 190 world titles were awarded across all 13 disciplines and categories (elite men, elite women, juniors, handisport, etc.).
Are the UCI Cycling World Championships held every year?
No. The UCI Cycling World Championships - the "mega-event" format that brings together all the disciplines - are held every 4 years, the year before the Olympic Games. The world championships for each individual discipline (road, mountain bike, track, etc.) continue to be held separately each year.
