UCI World Cycling Talent Programme: New talent programme for young cyclists

The Union Cycliste Internationale is expanding its development work. The UCI World Cycling Centre presents the UCI World Cycling Talent Programme, a global initiative to promote young cyclists from countries with fewer resources. Twelve athletes from eleven nations have been taking part in the first phase since 20 April 2026.

The programme is aimed at talented young riders from Asia, Africa, Oceania and America. The selected athletes come from Afghanistan, Belize, Bolivia, Ecuador, Eritrea, India, Namibia, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates. They will train together in Josselin in Brittany and compete under the colours of the World Cycling Centre.

From the continental to the global approach of the UCI

The UCI World Cycling Talent Programme is based on the experience of the UCI Africa 2025 Programme. This initiative prepared African athletes for the 2025 Road World Championships in Kigali. The Eritrean Tsige Kyros achieved a top 10 place in the junior women's road race. The world federation is now transferring this concept to all continents.

The athletes receive access to training expertise, structured race programmes and professional support. This support is not normally available to riders from smaller cycling nations. The World Cycling Centre provides coaches and staff for individual development.

Race calendar and phase structure

The first phase will run until 14 June 2026, with six women and six men taking part in regional races in France. The women will compete in the GP de Nantes, the Rieux Open 3H and the Tour de Loire-Atlantique. The men will ride the Tour des Mauges, the Essor Breton and the Route Vendéenne.

After a four-week break, the second phase begins from 11 July to 13 September 2026, with some athletes from the first phase returning and new riders joining the programme. The participants will continue their training and racing experience in Europe.

Structured development paths of the UCI

The programme creates pathways into professional cycling. Riders from countries with limited resources receive infrastructure, competition experience and mentoring. The World Cycling Centre offers an intensive road racing season in France with individual development support from coaches.

UCI President David Lappartient explains the objective: "Talented cyclists exist in all regions of the world, but do not have the same opportunities to realise their potential. The programme aims to redress this imbalance. The Union Cycliste Internationale wants to ensure that cycling belongs to the whole world.

UCI organisation and infrastructure

The UCI World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland, serves as the base for the initiative. The centre houses the UCI headquarters and has a velodrome, a BMX racing track and a BMX freestyle park. Since opening in 2002, the centre has welcomed athletes from countries without full development resources.

The UCI World Cycling Centre also trains people in various cycling professions. These include coaches, mechanics and sports directors. The centre coordinates the UCI's solidarity initiatives in collaboration with continental federations, national federations and a network of continental and regional development centres.

Successful examples

The UCI World Cycling Centre has already brought several talents into professional cycling. Positive examples include riders on the road and in track cycling:

Road cycling

• Biniam Girmay (Eritrea): Completed his training at the WCC and developed into one of the sport's biggest stars. He won the prestigious UCI WorldTour classic race Gent-Wevelgem as well as stages of the Tour de France.
• Tsgabu Grmay (Ethiopia): Joined the WCC in 2010 and became the first Ethiopian rider to compete for a UCI WorldTeam and take part in the Tour de France.
• Daniel Teklehaimanot (Eritrea): A former WCC participant who made history in 2015 when he became the first rider from sub-Saharan Africa to wear the polka dot jersey (mountain classification) at the Tour de France.

Track cycling

• Nicholas Paul (Trinidad and Tobago): Completed his training at WCC and became a world-class sprinter. He holds the flying 200 metre world record and regularly won medals at the UCI Track World Championships and World Cups.
• Guo Shuang (China): The multiple Olympic medallist and UCI world champion spent important years of her development training at the centre.