From Paris 1900 to Riyadh 2025: 125-Year Ride Through Cycling’s Evolution
From the establishment of the worldwide governing body for cycling in 1900 to the boulevard of Riyadh in 2025, the story of cycling continues to roll forward.
Since the founding of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) in the French capital more than a century ago, the sport has evolved tremendously, and this November, it reaches a new milestone. From November 4 to 8, Riyadh is hosting the 2025 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships at Boulevard City, organized by the Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Cycling Federation (SACF), featuring some of the world’s top riders.
Urban cycling is one of the newest and fastest-growing disciplines in the sport, representing a modern, creative twist that blends skill, artistry, and control in city-based arenas. It differs from traditional cycling, roads, mountains, or track racing, in both competition style and scoring, relying more on judges’ points and artistic creativity than on speed or time.
The championship features three main categories: BMX Freestyle Park, Flatland, and Trials, each highlighting a unique style of competition.
In BMX Freestyle Park, riders perform tricks on a park filled with ramps and jumps, with judges scoring based on difficulty, execution, creativity, and flow. The top riders from the qualifiers advance to the semifinals and the finals, where the winner is determined based on the highest overall score.
As the name indicates, the Flatland category takes place on a flat surface, where riders display balance and control through intricate spins and movements without touching the ground. Participants’ performances are evaluated based on creativity, innovation, and balance, with the winner announced based on the highest score awarded by a panel of expert judges.
In Trials, competitors navigate challenging courses filled with natural and man-made obstacles, aiming to complete them without touching the ground or losing balance. Each mistake or fall incurs penalty points, while the title goes to the rider who records the fewest errors and the best time in the final round.
Urban cycling represents a distinct concept from traditional racing, which focuses on speed, endurance, and tactics to reach the finish line first. Instead, urban disciplines highlight the artistic beauty of movement, precision, control, and creativity.
The equipment also differs, with smaller, lighter bikes designed for maneuvering and jumping. Competitions are typically held in lively city settings, creating an energetic, show-like atmosphere that appeals to youth and general audiences alike.
Since BMX Freestyle was introduced to international competitions in 2017, urban cycling has gained a growing presence on the UCI calendar. The UCI Urban Cycling World Championships have since become an annual global event hosted by major cities, where the world’s top riders showcase performances that blend athletic skill with artistic creativity.
Hosting the 2025 edition in Riyadh marks another milestone in Saudi Arabia’s growing reputation as a destination for world-class sporting events, showcasing the Kingdom’s ability to deliver top-tier international competitions while fostering a dynamic sports culture that embraces innovation and inspires the next generation of athletes.
