2026 UCI GRAN FONDO WORLD SERIES
Guide and bidding procedure for the organization of a 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Series
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) launched the UCI Gran Fondo World Series in 2011 with the aim to contribute to the international promotion of “Cycling for All” events by applying high criteria in respect both of the organization and the sporting and tourist interest. The purpose of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series brand is to enable amateurs and masters cyclists to battle for a World Champion title at events with the finest organization in the world.
The 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Series (UGFWS) comprises a number of qualifier events, leading to the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. These World Championships will crown the official UCI Gran Fondo World Champions in different age groups, with the official “rainbow jerseys” and medals.
In order to build the 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Series calendar, the UCI is receiving applications from host regions and organizers which are willing to set up a world class cycling experience, to welcome cyclists coming from several nations.
The UCI has entered into a partnership with Golazo Sports (Belgium) for the overall organization, coordination and marketing aspects of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series since 2011.
Minimum Criteria for a UCI Gran Fondo World Series qualifier event
Before starting the bidding procedure, the organizer must ensure that their events fulfill the following minimum criteria:
The event must be registered on the international “Cycling for All” calendar and be recognized by the country’s National Federation;
The event must have the necessary authorizations and support by the local authorities;
The course must be approved by the local authorities;
The dates of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series are protected.
Apart from the United States, Canada and Australia, a maximum of 2 events per country is allowed.
Proper third party liability insurance must be guaranteed by the organizer;
Agreement with the concerned National Federation must be reached concerning the need of licenses or the issuing of one day Licenses. Some countries National Federations don’t require day licenses.
UCI Gran Fondo World Series Format
To standardize all the events in the UCI Gran Fondo World Series (UGFWS) and render them accessible to all cyclists, the UGFWS will have a standard for course formats for all qualifier events. In addition to providing maximum safety guarantees (see Practical Organization Guide), the UGFWS course standard must have the following features:
Format
An organizer has the possibility to have the following formats of his event:
A Stage Race with a time trial and two road races organized on three consecutive days
A Time Trial and a Road Race organized within the same week
A single Road Race
The objective of the series being to allow both competitive and recreational riders (and riders with or without a license) to compete in a single mass participation event, it is therefore not possible to create a separate UCI wave within a single event.
Length
The length of the Road Races (ROA) must be between 80 and 225 km.
The course of the Individual Time Trial (ITT) must be between 15 and 40 km and can be shorter in case of a mountain time trial. There shall only be one official qualifying distance per age group. If two different courses are proposed, the organizer must confirm the qualifying distance applicable to each age group and publish such information before, both online and in briefings and communication materials shared with the riders.
Timekeeping and ranking
The event must be timed for all the participants, during the whole course. Timekeeping will provide an overall ranking for men and women per age group.
Age groups
The event must offer results in different age groups, for both women and men: Age groups :
19 – 34y
35 – 39y
40 – 44y
45 – 49y
50 – 54y
55 – 59y
60 – 64y
65 – 69y…
Granting of participation rights
Each qualifier event will grant a quota of participation rights for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. The percentage of qualified athletes of each age group will be confirmed prior to the confirmation of the 2026 calendar.
Top 3 riders per age group are always qualified for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships if they finish the qualifier race.
Bidding Procedure
a) To apply for the UCI Gran Fondo World Series, the organizer must certify that the applicant event fulfils all the conditions as described in the Practical Organization Guide, except for the visual guidelines, which should be implemented immediately after the inclusion of the event in the UGFWS
b) The organizer shall apply to the UCI Gran Fondo World Series, by letter or by email, at the following address:
UCI – Union Cycliste Internationale Allée Ferdi Kübler 12 1860 Aigle Switzerland
E-mail: massevents@uci.ch
c) A UGFWS delegate will evaluate the event. All the expenses of the UGFWS delegate (return travel, local transport, accommodation, meals) are entirely borne by the organizer. A site visit before the event is mandatory for a new UGFWS event.
d) The UGFWS delegate evaluates the event and passes on a report to the UCI
e) The UCI Management Committee, advised by the UCI Mass Event Commission and the UGFWS manager decides whether to include an event in the UCI Gran Fondo World Series as of the following year.
f) The final decision will be sent to the organizer by e-mail. In case of a temporary refusal of the inclusion of the event in the UGFWS, the organizer can apply again later, provided that the elements giving grounds for refusal have been corrected.
Allocation of Organization and Marketing Rights
Rights granted by Golazo Sports to the organizer of the UGFWS qualifier event (LOC) and/or the National Cycling Federation (NF) of the host country
In order to assist the city/region or the NF of the host country and the LOC in the task of organizing a qualifier round of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series, Golazo Sports accepts the following:
The LOC shall pay 30'000 Euros (€) for the organization rights of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series qualifier event;
The LOC has the right to use the UCI logo on UCI Gran Fondo World Series designs and/or a mascot chosen by the OC subject to approval by the UCI and Golazo Sports;
The LOC is entitled to use the design and the mascot for marketing and other initiatives if these are approved by Golazo Sports and are in accordance with the provisions of the organization agreement;
The LOC is entitled to retain one hundred per cent (100%) of all gross revenue (in cash, goods or services) deriving from the use of the design and/or mascot, in accordance with the terms of the organization agreement;
The UCI / Golazo Sports grants to the LOC seventy per cent (70%) of the advertising space available at the location and around the course of the UGFWS qualifier event.
The LOC is entitled to retain a hundred per cent (100%) of all gross revenue deriving from entry fees of the participants.
Organizers’ Rights Marketing
Golazo Sports holds all the marketing and sponsorship rights to the 2011-2030 UCI Gran Fondo World Series. Nevertheless, the UGFWS grants the LOC an average of 70% of all advertising space, depending on location. Golazo Sports will inform the organizers of any partnerships before conclusion of the contract.
Organizers and Golazo Sports commitment
Golazo Sports is the exclusive owner of worldwide media rights of the 2011 -2030 UCI Gran Fondo World Series
Golazo Sports Organiser
Services provided by Golazo Sports
General coordination of the UGFWS (rules, general coordination, Global media and administrative work);
General press service;
Production and maintenance of the global UGFWS website, including one page per event and a clickthrough to the LOC website;
Announcement and promotion on the UCI Gran Fondo World Series website;
Worldwide promotion of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series;
Promotion booth on international cycling events and bike fairs;
Direct marketing e-mailing (worldwide);
Promotion of the events with international travel agencies, specialized in cycling holidays;
UGFWS medal for each qualified rider;
Winner jersey for first men and women for each age group;
Organization Guide and specific Visual Guidelines;
5 wildcards per organizer to the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships per organized discipline (time trial, road race)
Services provided by the Organizer
Implementation of all sponsors, both organizers as Golazo Sports sponsors, if applicable;
Implementation of the UGFWS visual guidelines;
Submit communication to the approval of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series;
Submit all materials/communication supports for approval before production
Promotion of the UGFWS concept and calendar;
Provide participant database (name, address and email) to the UGFWS on the last working day before the event so that the UGFWS is able to contact the qualified riders directly after the event.
Organization, infrastructure, safety and insurance
Candidature File
Formal considerations
Candidatures for the UCI Gran Fondo World Series should be presented in the following format:
o A4 format,
o Bound, no loose pages,
o Typewritten,
o Text in English or French,
o Color plans, diagrams and photographs,
o Three copies of the candidature file must be delivered to the UGFWS before the relevant deadline.
The UGFWS ‘s evaluation is based on the contents of the candidature file and not on its presentation.
File contents
The candidature file delivered to the UGFWS must illustrate the host town’s or National Federation’s capacity to embrace an event of this magnitude. Consequently, it is imperative that the conditions for the general organization (site, course, premises, transport, emergency services and, accessibility) of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series can be fulfilled. In particular, the candidate must provide concise descriptions of the following considerations:
A. Site
Geographical location/situation (distance from the airport, motorway, big city);
Accessibility
Connections to road network
Proximity to airport
Accommodation capacity (hotels), etc.
Start and finish area
Parking facilities
Participants facilities (showers, changing rooms, secured bike park, )
B. Course map / road book
C. Course details
Refreshment stations + detailed description (products, manpower, etc.)
Altitude profile + climbs
Safety plan
Mechanical assistance
D. Official hotel
E. Safety (map showing the central medical post, medical posts on the course, ambulance access, helicopter landing area, etc.)
F. Detailed budget
G. Support & approvals (to be provided in English or French language)
Letter of support from the host National Federation on UCI CPT registration form in PDF
Letter of approval (course and organization) by the local authorities
Schedule and steps for presenting a candidature
Presentation of a Candidature for the organization of a UCI Gran Fondo World Series qualifier event Letter of candidature and bidding file to be submitted before the deadline:
31.07 2025 for the UCI Gran Fondo World Series 2026 season
To the attention of:
UCI – Union Cycliste Internationale Mass participation
Allée Ferdi Kübler 12 1860 Aigle Switzerland
E-mail: massevents@uci.ch
Between the date of presentation of the candidature and the next meeting of the UCI Management Committee, there will be evaluations, technical and logistical visits (if necessary), assessments of budgets and marketing packages.
Award of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series by the UCI Management Committee: The award of the 2025 UCI Gran Fondo World Series qualifier events will take place between 1.09.2025 and 30.09.2025
Bids will not be confirmed before:
a) A contract is sent to each organizer (or host national federation) that needs to be duly signed with appendixes This contract will be signed between Golazo and the local organizer with the UCI as a signing witness.
b) Golazo Sports will provide a pre-recommendation on bids retained for the awarding procedure. Bids will only be considered for the awarding procedure provided that they comply with the Series requirements and that a contract has been duly signed beforehand.
