A new report from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the global governing body for cycling, has proposed several changes aimed at boosting the sport’s popularity and financial health. The report, titled "Future of Cycling," was developed after consulting 55 stakeholders, including professional cycling teams, national cycling federations, race organizers, and some riders. The report acknowledges that while cycling is growing in popularity across five continents, its media presence and the revenue it generates still fall short of its potential. It also notes that the sport needs to attract more younger fans, as the under-35 audience is currently under-represented. Among the main recommendations are changes to the race calendar to make it more coherent and reduce overlaps between events. The report also calls for more predictable participation by riders, with the introduction of transfer windows and fees, similar to those in football. Other suggestions include simplifying the complex ranking and category system, strengthening the second division of professional cycling with clearer promotion paths, and continuing to grow women’s cycling. A financial fairness mechanism, such as a budget cap for teams, was also highlighted as a way to level the playing field and make the sport more appealing to investors. In 2025, the combined budget of professional UCI tour teams was over £731 million, but individual team budgets vary significantly. While the idea of budget caps has been widely discussed, it remains a major point of contention among stakeholders. The UCI said this issue will be a central topic in future discussions. Meanwhile, the organization is already working on a new transfer system and regulations for rider agents, aiming to bring more structure to the movement of athletes between teams. Safety was a central theme in the report, especially in light of the recent death of Welsh teenager Finlay Tarling, who was struck by a non-race vehicle during the Volta a Portugal. The UCI emphasized the need for stricter, evidence-based course design and improved safety infrastructure, such as better barriers and protective measures around climbs and descents. The report also recommended reducing the number of convoy vehicles, particularly motorbikes, and using drones more frequently to support races. Additional safety measures include GPS tracking for riders and features like brake lights, which have seen strong support from stakeholders. UCI president David Lappartient said that while the sport is growing rapidly, the responsibility to ensure safety is non-negotiable and will be prioritized in future reforms.