March 15, 2013 – Twenty-five stakeholders from all areas of cycling met in London during two days to discuss the globalisation of our sport. The meeting on February 13th and 14th was part of the UCI’s stakeholder consultations “A Bright Future for Cycling” and was led by Deloitte, the firm mandated to organise the consultation.

Riders, UCI WorldTour teams, National Federations, event organisers, the cycling industry, marketing agencies, sponsors, television, media and the UCI were represented at the meeting. Discussions were constructive, open and clear on the direction that should be taken in the future.

“There was a very good atmosphere and the talks were positive,” commented UCI Marketing & Events Director Gerrit Middag. “There was a general consensus that we should all work together for the future, and they would like to organise more such meetings.”

Participants travelled not only from Europe but from afar afield as the United States and Australia to be part of the discussions.

Globalisation is one of the four pillars of the consultation exercise, alongside riders, anti-doping and the sports calendar. Professional riders had their first meeting earlier this month, and the anti-doping group meets today in Geneva. The group discussing the sports calendar will reunite in Milan tomorrow, March 16th.

Meanwhile, the stakeholder’s on-line survey closes at midnight tonight. With 24 hours still to run nearly 6,000 people had already replied. The information collected from these questionnaires and working groups will be treated and analysed by Deloitte, who will report to the UCI Management Committee by the middle of 2013. Their report, which will be made public, will help the UCI decide on changes and measures needed to improve the organisation, functioning and image of cycling.