The UCI has launched a formal stakeholder consultation on reforming professional road cycling's economic and organisational model, opening discussions on calendar design, race formats, broadcasting rights and sustainability.
The UCI Management Committee, meeting in Beveren, Belgium, on January 29–30, will invite the sport's three primary representative bodies to submit proposals: the Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA, representing riders), the Association Internationale des Groupes Cyclistes Professionnels (AIGCP, teams) and the Association Internationale des Organisateurs de Courses Cyclistes (AIOCC, organisers).
Individual stakeholders have also been asked to contribute visions covering the current organisational model, internationalisation, solidarity within the sporting pyramid and economic structures. "Only together and united, under the authority of the UCI, can a more appealing model for all stakeholders be developed," the governing body said.
Alongside the reform initiative, the Management Committee approved several safety measures. The UCI has issued a call for expressions of interest concerning cyclist airbags, targeting manufacturers and laboratories to establish technical standards and explore integration into race clothing.
The committee also reviewed the first full-year assessment of the yellow card system. In 2025, 270 cards were issued across WorldTour, Women's WorldTour and ProSeries events. While 42% were handed to riders, the remainder were issued to team staff, vehicle drivers and motorcycle riders, the UCI noted, "confirming that safety is a shared responsibility."
More than 90% of individuals received only one yellow card, which the governing body said indicated a reduction in repeat dangerous behaviour. Three suspensions were imposed in 2025: two involving media representatives and one rider.
Notably absent from the meeting agenda was the freezing of WorldTour minimum salaries in 2026, a development reported exclusively by Velora Cycling earlier this month.
Artificial Intelligence tools
The UCI confirmed that AI-driven online abuse protection tools will be deployed for the 2026 WorldTour and Women's WorldTour seasons. The governing body has contracted Signify Group's Threat Matrix service, which combines artificial intelligence with human analysis to monitor and report abuse on social media platforms.
The committee also approved the 2026–2027 Cyclo-cross World Cup calendar, comprising 12 rounds from November 2026 to January 2027.
The next Management Committee meeting is scheduled for Desenzano del Garda, Italy, in June.
