The common abbreviation for Union Cycliste Internationale is UCI. The initials come from the organisation’s French name: Union Cycliste Internationale, meaning International Cycling Union in English.
The UCI is the worldwide governing body for organised cycling. Founded in Paris in 1900, it now administers rules and international competitions across disciplines such as road, track, mountain bike, cyclo-cross, gravel and BMX. Its headquarters are in Aigle, Switzerland.
UCI is easy to confuse with other sports abbreviations. IOC refers to the International Olympic Committee, FIBA governs basketball, and FIA governs motor sport. The UCI is also more than an event promoter: it licenses riders, recognises national federations, manages rankings and oversees world championships. A UCI race therefore operates within a common international rule system, even when a national federation or local organiser hosts the competition.