The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the governing body of cycling, categorises teams into three divisions. The top 18 teams are the UCI WorldTeams and compete in the UCI World Tour. The second and third divisions respectively are the Professional Continental teams and the Continental teams.
The teams compete in the UCI Continental Circuits, which are divided into five continental zones: Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania. They also win points in the UCI World Ranking. Professional Continental teams are also invited to participate in events in the UCI World Tour, although they are not eligible to win points in the World Tour rankings.
UCI Professional Continental teams edit
According to the UCI Rulebook,[1]
"a professional continental team is an organisation created to take part in road events open to professional continental teams. It is known by a unique name and registered with the UCI in accordance with the provisions below.
- The professional continental team comprises all the riders registered with the UCI as members of the team, the paying agent, the sponsors and all other persons contracted by the paying agent and/or the sponsors to provide for the continuing operation of the team (manager, team manager, coach, paramedical assistant, mechanic, etc.).
- Each professional continental team must employ at least 14 riders, 2 team managers and 3 other staff (paramedical assistants, mechanics, etc.) on a full time basis for the whole registration year."
List of 2016 UCI Africa Tour professional teams edit
| Code | Official Team Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| No registered teams | ||
List of 2016 UCI America Tour professional teams edit
| Code | Official Team Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| FSC | Funvic Soul Cycles–Carrefour |  Brazil
|
| TNN | Team Novo Nordisk |  United States
|
| UHC | UnitedHealthcare | United States
|
List of 2016 UCI Asia Tour professional teams edit
| Code | Official Team Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| No registered teams | ||
List of 2016 UCI Europe Tour professional teams edit
| Code | Official Team Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| AND | Androni Giocattoli–Sidermec |  Italy
|
| BAR | Bardiani–CSF | Italy
|
| BOA | Bora–Argon 18 |  Germany
|
| CJR | Caja Rural–Seguros RGA |  Spain
|
| CCC | CCC–Sprandi–Polkowice |  Poland
|
| COF | Cofidis |  France
|
| DMP | Delko–Marseille Provence KTM | France
|
| DEN | Direct Énergie | France
|
| FVC | Fortuneo–Vital Concept | France
|
| RVL | Gazprom–RusVelo |  Russia
|
| NIP | Nippo–Vini Fantini | Italy
|
| ONE | ONE Pro Cycling |  United Kingdom
|
| ROO | Roompot–Oranje Peloton |  Netherlands
|
| STH | Southeast–Venezuela[N 1] | Italy
|
| SSG | Stölting Service Group | Germany
|
| ROT | Team Roth |  Switzerland
|
| TSV | Topsport Vlaanderen–Baloise |  Belgium
|
| VAT | Verva ActiveJet | Poland
|
| WGG | Wanty–Groupe Gobert | Belgium
|
- ^ In May 2016, Southeast–Venezuela changed its name to Wilier Triestina–Southeast.[2]
List of 2016 UCI Oceania Tour professional teams edit
| Code | Official Team Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| DPC | Drapac Professional Cycling |  Australia
|
UCI Continental teams edit
According to the UCI Rulebook, "a UCI continental team is a team of road riders recognised and licensed to take part in events on the continental calendars by the national federation of the nationality of the majority of its riders and registered with the UCI. The precise structure (legal and financial status, registration, guarantees, standard contract, etc.) of these teams shall be determined by the regulations of the national federation."
List of 2016 UCI Africa Tour teams edit
| Code | Official Team Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| DDC | Dimension Data for Qhubeka |  South Africa
|
| KRD | Kenyan Riders Downunder |  Kenya
|
List of 2016 UCI America Tour teams edit
| Code | Official Team Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| LMC | Los Matanceros |  Argentina
|
| SEP | Sindicato de Empleados Publicos de San Juan | Argentina
|
| SLT | San Luis Somos Todos | Argentina
|
| GQC | Garneau–Québecor |  Canada
|
| HRB | H&R Block Pro Cycling | Canada
|
| SPC | Silber Pro Cycling Team | Canada
|
| BRC | Boyacá Raza de Campeones |  Colombia
|
| EPM | EPM–UNE–Área Metropolitana | Colombia
|
| GWS | GW–Shimano | Colombia
|
| MZN | Team Manzana Postobón | Colombia
|
| MOT | Movistar Team América | Colombia
|
| SCQ | Strongman–Campagnolo–Wilier | Colombia
|
| CEE | Coopenae–Extralum |  Costa Rica
|
| DCT | Inteja–MMR Dominican Cycling Team |  Dominican Republic
|
| ECU | Team Ecuador |  Ecuador
|
| VIV | Vivo Team Grupo Oresy |  Paraguay
|
| ACT | Astellas | United States
|
| AHB | Axeon–Hagens Berman | United States
|
| CPC | Cylance Pro Cycling | United States
|
| ELV | Elevate Pro Cycling–Bicycle World | United States
|
| HSD | Holowesko Citadel Racing Team | United States
|
| ILU | Team Illuminate | United States
|
| JAM | Team Jamis | United States
|
| JBC | Jelly Belly–Maxxis | United States
|
| LRT | Lupus Racing Team | United States
|
| RLY | Rally Cycling | United States
|
List of 2016 UCI Asia Tour teams edit
List of 2016 UCI Europe Tour teams edit
List of 2016 UCI Oceania Tour teams edit
| Code | Official Team Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| AIW | Avanti IsoWhey Sports | Australia
|
| DSR | Data#3–Cisco Racing Team p/b Scody | Australia
|
| SVR | Satalyst Verve Racing Team | Australia
|
| SOM | State of Matter MAAP Racing | Australia
|
| STG | St George Merida Cycling Team | Australia
|
References edit
- ^ "UCI Rulebook – Part 2 Road Races, 24.01.2015" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-02-07. Retrieved 2016-01-14.
- ^ Brown, Gregor (29 April 2016). "Wilier signs on as new Southeast – Venezuela title sponsor". VeloNews. Retrieved 3 May 2016.