Reinvigorated UCI Athletes' Commission to strengthen bonds between riders and the wider cycling family

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is pleased to announce the set-up of a reinvigorated UCIAthletes’ Commission. Today’s announcement is in line with a pledge made by Brian Cookson duringhis election campaign for more openness and transparency. In order to ensure even closer ties withthe athletes, the Commission will undergo a series of changes ranging from the election method of itsmembers, to the balance of its composition and the tasks it is required to carry out.

A Commission made up of athletes for the athletes

Each National Federation will nominate athletes from their own Federation for each of the disciplines(road, MTB, trials, BMX, cyclo-cross, track, para-cycling & indoor). For the Olympic and Paralympicdisciplines, each Federation will nominate 2 athletes (1 male & 1 female).

Commission members will then be elected by their peers via an online procedure. The composition ofthe Commission will be announced by the UCI in May 2015.

A Commission representing men, women and all disciplines

The Athletes’ Commission will comprise 13 members, under the responsibility of a President electedby fellow members of the Commission:

2 members (1 male and 1 female) representing road;

2 members (1 male and 1 female) representing track;

2 members (1 male and 1 female) representing BMX;

2 members (1 male and 1 female) representing mountain bike;

2 members (1 male and 1 female) representing para-cycling;

1 member representing cyclo-cross;

1 member representing trials;

1 member representing indoor cycling.

The mandate of the Commission members will run until 2017. Members must be active or recentlyretired.

A Commission serving as a direct link between riders and the UCI

The President of the UCI Athletes’ Commission will be co-opted to the UCI Management Committee,the Federation’s executive body that operates under the authority of Congress.

In addition, all eight disciplines will see one of their representatives on the Athletes’ Commission alsoserving on the corresponding Commission for their discipline.

The UCI Athletes’ Commission’s main objectives are:

To improve the riders’ training and racing conditions;

To give riders the right to speak with a guarantee of being heard within the cycling family and

its administration;

To enable the UCI to obtain direct feedback from the riders;

To reinforce the links between active or recently-retired riders and the UCI.

UCI President Brian Cookson said:

"I am personally very pleased with the new birth of the Athletes’ Commission. During my campaign for

the UCI Presidency, I voiced my support for a major role for the athletes. By being the ones training

and racing every day, they are the essence of cycling and therefore the ones best placed to give their

feedback on many different issues touching our sport.

"This renewed Commission will operate as a true channel between riders and the UCI. Athletes will be

able to promote their rights and duties in all disciplines while being informed of the decisions of our

Federation.

"With members serving on the corresponding commission of their discipline, and a President sitting on

the UCI Management Committee, the Athletes’ Commission will be one of the driving forces behind

our sport."

For more information, please contact:

Louis Chenaille

UCI Press Officer

+41 79 198 7047

louis.chenaille@uci.ch

John Zerafa

VERO Communications

+44 7813 814 816

jzerafa@verocom.co.uk

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