March 30, 2008 – Mr. Pat McQuaid, President of the International Cycling Union (UCI) and Mr. Thierry Fournier, Director General of the French company Look Cycle International, today signed a partnership contract to establish a new programme entitled “UCI Bikes for the World presented by Look” at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Manchester (Great Britain).

Under the programme, around 100 racing bikes will be sent to National Federations wanting to develop cycling in their country every year for a period of four years. This figure is set to increase in the future.

Bike frames (road and track), pedals, seatposts, track stems and handlebars will be supplied by Look while other components will be provided by a range of UCI sponsors.

Many Federations do not have the means to acquire a sufficient quantity of bikes for their young riders. The “UCI Bikes for the World presented by Look” programme offers a solution to this problem.

Federations interested in participating in the programme can apply to the UCI. The UCI will draw up a list of beneficiaries of the programme. One of the conditions of taking part in the programme is that the Federation must have set up training programmes recognised by the UCI: courses for coaches or training camps for riders.

The UCI welcomes this development of its partnership with Look. Look has been a major UCI partner since 2002. From this time the company has supplied considerable amounts of equipment to the World Cycling Centre (WCC), the UCI’s training centre devoted to developing cycling around the world. The WCC has assisted in the training of some 600 riders since opening its doors. Many of these are now among the best athletes in the world and still ride Look bikes.

Look’s Director General Thierry Fournier said that he was delighted to support the development of cycling around the world.