UCI Women's Road Teams

This information has been updated for the 2022 season. 

Welcome to the homepage for the 2022 UCI Women's Continental Teams. Here you will find all of the information we have on the logistics of forming, registering, and maintaining a UCI Women's Continental Team. In case you have navigated here by accident, this information is specific to what the UCI has defined as a UCI Women's Continental Team. If you are looking for more information on USA Cycling Domestic Elite Teams or UCI World Tour Women's Teams, use the links attached.

One of the benefits of being on a UCI Women's Continental team is that you have a dedicated USA Cycling staff contact. If you need assistance with any aspect of your team process, please email Bonnie Walker or call 719-725-0399.

List of current UCI Women's Teams  

Table of Contents

1. Team Composition and General Principles
2. Team Participation
3. Contracts
4. Insurance
5. Medical Monitoring
6. Roster Changes
7. Clothing and Equipment
8. Key Dates for Team Registration
9. Associated Fees for Registering a Team
10. The Bank Guarantee
11. The Registration and Auditing Process

1. Team Composition and General Principles

A UCI Women's Continental Team is made up of a minimum of 8 riders and a maximum of 16 riders. To be registered with USA Cycling, the majority of your riders must have US citizenship. Please choose your riders accordingly.

The table below illustrates how the number of USA riders on your team determines the nationality:

In this example, the US is the most represented country, making the nationality of the team USA.

Please note, trainee and specialist riders are not taken into account for the calculation of the minimum number of riders in a team or for the determination of its nationality. 

In addition to the 16-rider maximum, a team may have a maximum of four extra riders who are specialists in other endurance disciplines, such as track (scratch, points race, pursuit), mountain bike (cross-country), or cyclo-cross, provided that these riders were in the top 150 of the last final UCI Individual classification. Between August 1st and the end of the year, the team can also add two riders in the U23 class as "trainees".

The United States can register a maximum of 15 continental teams with the UCI.

2. Team Participation

Once a rider is on your team, they can ride in two kinds of races: UCI races anywhere in the world or national races in the United States. Riders on UCI Continental teams do not need Foreign Permission Letters to ride abroad.

It is important to remember that being on a UCI Continental Team does not mean the team is automatically selected for any particular race. Each UCI event is by invitation only and the UCI has specific regulations regarding invitations. A UCI race organizer must meet UCI regulations when extending invitations to their events, and since these regulations include a minimum number of non-American teams, there may not be enough space in certain races for each American team. Each team must contact the race organizer to secure an invitation.

3. Contracts

Each rider must have a contract for a fixed period that expires on December 31. The contracts must meet the minimum standards given in the model contracts for Remunerated riders and Non-Professional riders. This contract must explicitly spell out wages (if any) and/or repayment of expenses. Note that wages are not required for UCI Continental Teams. In addition, if a rider is to be paid a salary per the contract, the only method of payment allowed is direct deposit into the rider's bank account, the specifics of which must also be included in the contract.

Please note that no provision in the contract is valid if it goes against the basic nature of the year-long contract unless it is in the rider's favor. In other words, you cannot include a provision in the contract that says, "the team may terminate this contract at its discretion for any reason" or "the team may terminate this contract at its discretion of the rider fails to perform up to team standards" or such language. Such a contract would essentially mean there is no contract at all.

Your team may be based in a state known for "at will employment", but a UCI Continental Team is not an "at will" employer. If you hire a rider, presume it is for the whole year. Our auditor will be carefully checking contracts to make sure they meet the minimum standards and do not contain any "out clauses" that effectively invalidate the nature of a contract. The contracts must even have a statement in them that acknowledges that any statement that differs from the model contract is null and void unless it is in the favor of the rider.

4. Insurance

Part of the registration process will be for the teams to prove that each rider on their team has adequate medical insurance that covers sickness, accidents, and repatriation. The UCI rules also specify civil liability, but a USA Cycling license carries that coverage automatically, and is not required by the team. As a team you may purchase health insurance for your riders or require them to purchase it. Either way, it will be up to the team to document that such insurance exists. A dedicated form does not need to be completed. Proof of rider's insurance must be submitted with the team packet to Waugh & Goodwin, LLP.

5. Medical Monitoring

In 2015, the UCI introduced a new set of regulations regarding medical rules and the Medical Monitoring program. At this point in time, the Medical Monitoring program is NOT required for UCI Women's Teams. As a UCI team, however, you should be aware of the program and of the medical rules under which the UCI operates. The regulations regarding Medical Rules may be found in the Part XIII: Medical Rules section of the UCI regulations.

6. Roster Changes

The UCI has imposed strict limits on how and when team rosters can be changed. Under normal circumstances, roster changes may be made given the following criteria:

• At any time during the season, you may add a rider if that rider meets all criteria and has not had a contract with a UCI team in the same season (except cyclo-cross riders, who can be transferred during the period of March 15 - April 15). To add a rider, please submit appropriate paperwork (contract, license and insurance) to USA Cycling and add the rider through the DataRide platform. You must also submit the same information (contract and insurance) to our auditor along with a check for $150.
• Between August 1, 2022 and the end of the year, you can add two U23 riders to your roster as "trainees". Note that USA Cycling must submit those names to the UCI BEFORE July 25th. The "trainees" cannot have been on another UCI team in the past and are added to the rider list through the DataRide platform. Please check the "trainee" checkbox, indicate the date from which the rider will join the team, and upload any required authorizations before submitting the updates. USA Cycling will validate the list and requirements before the UCI deadline of August 1. If the rider does not hold a USA Cycling license, a permission letter must be obtained from the appropriate federation.
  • The rider may not previously have ridden for a UCI road team
  • The UCI Continental team must notify the UCI of the identity of the riders before 1 August
  • Such riders shall obtain the authorization of their Federation and may be associated with only one UCI team during this period
  • Upon authorization of his new team, a trainee rider may continue to participate in events of his club team.
• For UCI Women's Continental Teams, USA Cycling must also check if there are any changes in the budget and/or bank guarantee following the addition or removal of a rider/staff member. Therefore, an updated budget and/or an amended bank guarantee must be sent to Bonnie Walker at USA Cycling. Once reviewed for completeness, the UCI will be notified. 
  

In addition to the roster change methods outline above, the UCI has established a Rider Transfer Period, which runs from June 1, 2022 through July 15, 2022. During this transfer period, riders who have been on a UCI team in the current year may transfer to a different UCI team. As part of this transfer process, the ride, their original team and new team, must submit to USA Cycling a mutually-agreed upon termination agreement. With this in place, the rider may be added to your team's roster using the DataRide platform. Please note that any changes (i.e. rider additions) will require a new audit and review process. (See below)

7. Clothing and Equipment

Clothing used by UCI teams is closely regulated by the UCI. As such, teams are required to submit their clothing designs to USA Cycling for approval at the time of registration, and by December 10th at the latest. These designs should be a PDF of artwork and include both the jersey and short designs. In an effort to promote the UCI Women's Tour, the UCI is mandating that the appropriate UCI logo be incorporated into the design of the jersey. Relevant information can be found here. Logo files can be downloaded from the last page of the document.

Equipment used by UCI teams is also closely regulated, with lists of approved frames, forks, and wheels available on the UCI Equipment web page. The UCI has also provided the List of Equipment form (UCI annex L), which will need to be completed and returned to USA Cycling. Teams which already know the equipment that will be used for massed start races and time trials are requested to complete this form for inclusion with the registration materials. If this equipment is unknown at the time of registration, this form should be completed and returned as soon as possible once the equipment is known. 

As of January 2021, riders of 190cm tall or taller are no longer required to verify their height with the UCI Commissaire on-site. A rider must provide a medical certificate signed by the Head Medical Director of the team where the height is clearly stated. To add the rider into the UCI official list of riders 190cm tall or taller the certificate must be sent in advance to materiel@uci.ch. Please note, the UCI Commissaire reserves a right to verify the height of the rider.

8. Key Dates for Team Registration

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 — USA Cycling must submit the list of teams that it intends to register to the UCI on September 30. This means that at a minimum, we need to know the name of the team. If we submit a team called Billy Joe’s Bike Shop/Raleigh to the UCI by this date, we may be able to register a team by November 10 that is called Billy Joe’s Bike Shop/Della Santa. However, if no part of the team name is the same, it may be rejected by the UCI. Therefore, you would be well advised to have your primary sponsor lined up before you commit to this process. USA Cycling may submit registration packets to the UCI any time after this date, assuming your packet is complete and your audit has been finished. Please also note that as a UCI Women's Continental team, you may have a maximum of two names in your title, which would be your two primary sponsors. You also cannot have the word "professional" in it.

OCTOBER 18, 2021 — This is the FINAL DATE applications will be accepted by USA Cycling and our auditor, Waugh & Goodwin LLP. Applications received after this date will not be processed and will not be submitted to the UCI. Auditing Fees are due on this date. Mail packets to Waugh & Goodwin, LLP, 1365 Garden of the Gods Road, Suite 150, Colorado Springs, CO 80907.

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 — You must wire the UCI fee to the UCI bank by this date.

NOVEMBER 10, 2021 — USA Cycling must submit all completed and verified continental team registration information through DataRide to the UCI on/before this date. 

NOVEMBER 26, 2021 — Bank guarantees are due to USA Cycling by this date. If rolling over a prior year guarantee, any amount required in excess of the rolled over amount is also due on this date. All other fees to USA Cycling are due on this date.

JANUARY 2022 — Publication of UCI Women's Continental Teams on the UCI website.

MARCH 31, 2022 — Bank guarantees from the 2021 season due back to teams will begin to be processed by USA Cycling on/after this date.

JUNE 1 - July 15, 2022 — All 2021 UCI rider transfers will take place during this period.

July 25, 2022 — Addition of U23 ”trainee” riders to the team roster must be submitted through the DataRide platform for review by USA Cycling prior to the UCI deadline of August 1.

9. Associated Fees for Team Registration

The following tables show the fees involved in this process, who they go to, when they are payable, and how they should be sent:

UCI Women's Teams

10. The Bank Guarantee

The UCI has again set the minimum bank guarantee as 20,000 euros or 15 percent of the salary package for the riders and staff, whichever is higher. We have set up a bank in Colorado Springs that will manage the bank guarantees and processes. You will provide USA Cycling with a check for the appropriate amount and it will be deposited in an account dedicated to your team. The bank guarantee should be satisfied by certified check.

The teams will also fill out and sign a bank guarantee agreement with USA Cycling that explains the nature of the bank guarantee and claims process. In addition, UCI Women’s Continental Teams must provide the UCI with a copy of the bank guarantee via the DataRide platform. A copy of the bank guarantee and the team operating budget (UCI annex C-1) must be submitted to the UCI by email before November 10, 2021.

If you wish to use your 2021 bank guarantee on file with USA Cycling toward your 2022 team, you may do so after paying all fines due the UCI and USA Cycling from 2021 or previous seasons. If the bank guarantee on file with USA Cycling is less than the amount due for 2022, the team will then make up the difference. If your rider salaries have decreased and your guarantee on file is more than what you need this year, and there are no challenges, then the difference will be refunded if you so request, no earlier than March 31st, 2022.

11. The Registration and Auditing Process

The following are the proper steps for registering a UCI women's team:

1. Familiarize yourself with the UCI regulations regarding continental teams. Your existence as a team is based on these rules, which can be found in their entirety on the UCI Regulations website. The most relevant chapters are Part I: General Organization of Cycling as a Sport, Part II: Road Races, Part XII: Discipline and Procedures, and Part XIV: Anti-Doping Rules.

2. Compile the following for mailing to Waugh & Goodwin, LLP (auditor) by certified mail (must be received by October 18, 2021):

• One copy of all signed rider/team staff contracts. If you have never done one of these before, the UCI has provided us with a model contract you can use as a guide depending on whether it is a remunerated member or a non-professional member.
• Complete the rider and staff roster for all of your riders & Staff. New for 2022, any UCI Continental Women’s Team must add a communication manager to the list of licensed staff members.
• The Declaration of recognition of ethical principles - staff signed by all staff.
• Certified check for $900 to cover auditing services
• Copies of signed sponsor contracts over $5,000
• A complete team operating budget (UCI annex C-1). For your convenience, the UCI also has provided a set of instructions for developing a budget (UCI annex C-2). Please use the original UCI form.
• Auditor Check list (The rider and staff rosters above should be used for item 4 in the checklist.)

3. Email the following electronic documents to Bonnie Walker at USA Cycling (bwalker@usacycling.org):

• Completed rider and staff roster
• Team Representation Letter to USA Cycling (UCI annex E)
• Team Manager's Statement (UCI annex A 3.2)
• Clothing designs for jerseys and shorts (Single file, PDF) 
• List of Equipment (UCI annex L) - this should be submitted once the equipment is known and is not required at the time of registration.

4. Wire the registration and CADF fees to the UCI into their euro bank account by the UCI deadline (November 1, 2021):

Note that the wire to the UCI is about 10 days before we have to have the packets to them, so plan accordingly.

Upon completion of the bank wire transfer to the UCI, please provide USA Cycling with the confirmation/tracking information. This will greatly help us in confirming receipt by the UCI, and will ease the registration process.

5. For the registration of a UCI Women’s Continental Team, the team operating budget (UCI annex C-1) as well as the calculation of the minimum amount of the bank guarantee will have to be submitted to the UCI by email before November 10, 2021.

6. Waugh & Goodwin, LLP will provide you with a total amount due to USA Cycling to cover your bank guarantee. Mail a check for that amount made out to the name of the entity responsible for your bank guarantee (team name or management company name) to the attention of Bonnie Walker by certified mail (must be received by November 26, 2021). In addition, mail a check payable to USA Cycling for the $3,000 registration and RaceClean fee.

7. Access USA Cycling's membership website to renew or purchase a 2022 Professional Road license. For issues, contact Bonnie Walker. UCI regulations state that riders shall obtain a license from the country of their main residence at the time of application. Please make sure that appropriate insurance is available with any foreign licenses.

8. Waugh & Goodwin, LLP will review the documents submitted. Once they meet all the UCI regulations, they’ll send an auditor’s report to USA Cycling and notify the team contact.

9. If the bank guarantee is in order when the auditor’s report arrives, USA Cycling will notify the UCI of the team’s successful completion of the registration process, and we will submit all paperwork to the UCI.

10. The process is complete when the UCI publishes your team on the UCI website in early January.

11. Once the UCI process is complete and teams are published, USA Cycling will process the rider and support staff licenses. Unless requested otherwise, all copies will be mailed directly to the team director.

12. If you make roster changes, the new rider contracts and $150 per rider added must be sent to Waugh & Goodwin, LLP and USA Cycling.