The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the governing body of cycling, categorises teams into three divisions. The top 18 teams are the UCI WorldTeams and compete in the UCI World Tour. The second and third divisions respectively are the Professional Continental teams and the Continental teams.
The teams compete in the UCI Continental Circuits, which are divided into five continental zones: Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania. They also win points in the UCI World Ranking. Professional Continental teams are also invited to participate in events in the UCI World Tour, although they are not eligible to win points in the World Tour rankings.
According to the UCI Rulebook, [1]
"a professional continental team is an organisation created to take part in road events open to professional continental teams. It is known by a unique name and registered with the UCI in accordance with the provisions below.
Code | Official Team Name | Country | Continent |
---|---|---|---|
MZN | Team Manzana Postobón | ![]() | America |
SOU | Soul Brasil Pro Cycling | ![]() | America |
TNN | Team Novo Nordisk | ![]() | America |
UHC | UnitedHealthcare | ![]() | America |
ANS | Androni–Sidermec–Bottecchia | ![]() | Europe |
ABS | Aqua Blue Sport | ![]() | Europe |
BRD | Bardiani–CSF | ![]() | Europe |
CJR | Caja Rural–Seguros RGA | ![]() | Europe |
CCC | CCC–Sprandi–Polkowice | ![]() | Europe |
COF | Cofidis | ![]() | Europe |
DMP | Delko–Marseille Provence KTM | ![]() | Europe |
DEN | Direct Énergie | ![]() | Europe |
TFO | Fortuneo–Oscaro | ![]() | Europe |
GAZ | Gazprom–RusVelo | ![]() | Europe |
ICA | Israel Cycling Academy | ![]() | Europe |
NIP | Nippo–Vini Fantini | ![]() | Europe |
RNL | Roompot–Nederlandse Loterij | ![]() | Europe |
SVB | Sport Vlaanderen–Baloise | ![]() | Europe |
VWC | Vérandas Willems–Crelan | ![]() | Europe |
WGG | Wanty–Groupe Gobert | ![]() | Europe |
WVA | WB Veranclassic Aqua Protect | ![]() | Europe |
WIL | Wilier Triestina–Selle Italia | ![]() | Europe |
According to the UCI Rulebook, "a UCI continental team is a team of road riders recognised and licensed to take part in events on the continental calendars by the national federation of the nationality of the majority of its riders and registered with the UCI. The precise structure (legal and financial status, registration, guarantees, standard contract, etc.) of these teams shall be determined by the regulations of the national federation."
Code | Official Team Name | Country |
---|---|---|
DDC | Dimension Data for Qhubeka | ![]() |
VCS | Vélo Club Sovac | ![]() |
Code | Official Team Name | Country |
---|---|---|
DPV | Drapac–Pat's Veg | ![]() |
IWS | IsoWhey Sports SwissWellness | ![]() |
NIS | New South Wales Institute of Sport | ![]() |
STG | St George Continental Cycling Team | ![]() |
The UCI ProTour was a series of road bicycle races in Europe, Australia and Canada organised by the UCI. Created by Hein Verbruggen, former president of the UCI, it comprises a number of 'ProTour' cycling teams, each of whom are required to compete in every round of the series. It was initially the basis of a season long competition for rankings points, created for 2005 to replace the UCI Road World Cup series, which ended at the end of the 2004 season. The ProTour was the subject of continuing disputes involving the UCI, cycling teams, and the organizers of the world's most prominent bicycle races, and in 2009 and 2010 the ranking element of the ProTour was superseded by the UCI World Ranking. For 2011, the ProTour and World Ranking were fully merged into the UCI World Tour. ProTour status for teams – relabelled UCI ProTeams – will continue as the highest level of registration, and will carry the right and obligation to participate in all World Tour races.
The UCI WorldTour is the premier men's elite road cycling tour, sitting above the UCI ProSeries and various regional UCI Continental Circuits. It refers to both the tour of 38 events and, until 2019, an annual ranking system based upon performances in these. The World Ranking was launched in 2009, and merged fully with its predecessor the UCI ProTour in 2011. UCI WorldTeams must compete at all events that were part of the tour prior to the 2017 expansion.
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