The world governing body for cycling, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), has published a report titled "Future of Cycling" proposing a series of changes aimed at strengthening the sport and improving safety. Among the key ideas are the introduction of transition periods, an upper budget limit for teams, and the use of drones instead of follow vehicles during races.
The report addressed road cycling and involved 55 stakeholders, including professional teams, national federations, race organisers and some riders. Its stated aim is to convert "a large but passive audience into active, loyal fans". The report acknowledges that the under-35 audience is "underrepresented" and that there is a need to "enhance the appeal" of the sport.
"Although the sport today enjoys strong and growing popularity across five continents, its media presence and the revenue it generates for its stakeholders still do not fully reflect its potential", the report states.
Among the most frequently cited recommendations are a more coherent race calendar based on geography with less overlap, more predictable rider participation through transition periods and allowances, simplified ranking and category systems, a stronger second division with clearer development pathways, further growth of women's cycling, and a financial fairness mechanism such as an upper team budget limit.
The total budget of professional UCI WorldTour teams in 2025 amounted to £731 million (€850 million), though individual team budgets vary considerably. The long-debated upper budget limits aim to level the peloton and increase "financial fairness". According to the UCI, such limits would improve the sport's attractiveness to investors. The UCI acknowledges that such a mechanism remains the biggest point of disagreement among stakeholders and will be at the centre of upcoming discussions. Work on a new transfer system and regulation of rider agents is already under way.
A key pillar of the report is safety. The report's release comes a month after the death of Welsh teenager Finlay Tarling, who was killed in a collision with a vehicle that was not part of the race at the Volta a Portugal. The UCI says it has recorded broad support for stricter, evidence-based course design, minimum standards for barriers and protective infrastructure on climbs and descents. Several participants advocated greater use of circuit-style finishes.
The report recommends reviewing the number of follow vehicles — particularly motorcycles — and greater use of drones. It also notes near-unanimous support for GPS tracking and some interest in features such as rear lights.
UCI president David Lappartient said road cycling is "experiencing an unprecedented growth". "That success carries responsibility. The first of those responsibilities is safety. It is not subject to negotiation and will move forward at an even faster pace than the other parts of reform", Lappartient added. The riders' union, Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA), was contacted for comment.
