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The International Cycling Union (UCI), a non-profit-making organization founded on 14 April 1900, is the association of the National Cycling Federations. Its headquarters are in Aigle, Switzerland.
The UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships are the world championship events for mountain bike racing events in cross country, downhill, four-cross and trials riding events. It is organized by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), and winners are presented with a gold medal and are entitled to wear the rainbow jersey for a full year in future events of the same discipline. Unlike other UCI-sanctioned races, the World Championships is organized by nationality, not by commercial teams. The race is usually held towards the end of the season.
The UCI Road World Championships are the annual world championships for bicycle road racing organized by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). The UCI Road World Championships include events for elite men and women's road race and individual time trial. In addition, championships are held for the same events for cyclists under 23.
All the world championship events are ridden by national teams, not trade teams such as in the Tour de France. The winner of each category is entitled to wear the rainbow jersey in races of that category (either mass start or time trial) until the next championships.
The aims of the UCI are as follows:
* regulating cycling at international level;
* promoting cycling in every country throughout the world and at all levels;
* organizing the World Championships for all disciplines;
* encouraging friendly relations between members of the cycling family;
* promoting sporting ethics and fair play;
* representing the sport of cycling and defending its interests on national and international bodies;
* collaborating with the International Olympic Committee with respect to Olmpic cycling events.
The first world championships took place in Durango (USA) in 1990, consisting just of cross country and downhill events. Trials riding was added in 1992. The dual slalom event was added in 2000 but replaced by four-cross in 2002. A team relay event was added in 1999. Mountain bike marathon was included on the schedule at the 2003 championships in Lugano, but established as a separate world championship discipline from 2004.
Our mission states that the UCI means to develop and promote all aspects of cycling. This is because cycling is more than just a competitive sport. It is also a leisure activity and an environmentally friendly means of transport.
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