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How the UCI came to be

Strange to think, but back in 1883 cycling power resided in Great Britain with the National Cyclists’ Union, whose championships conferred unofficial world status. But by the end of the century the NCU had made itself unpopular over rule nitpicking, and so Henry Sturmey, editor of The Cyclist (no relation) and latterly one half of the eponymous hub gears, sought to establish a new governing body, the International Cycling Association.

The ICA too encountered problems when Great Britain argued for multiple team entries (England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland) to the new World Championships. This put Continental and New World noses out of joint and led to the French, Italian, Belgian, Swiss and US federations setting up their own governing body in Paris on 14th April 1900: the Union Cycliste Internationale, or UCI.

The UCI has run international cycling ever since, although not without its own share of torrid times. But somehow it has fought off schisms, coups, conspiracies and the rest, and you can visit its headquarters here in Aigle when you’re not enjoying the scenery by bike.