With the 2026 UCI Artistic Cycling World Cup about to kick off (in Nesvady, Slovakia, on 21 February) we take a look at this majestic indoor cycling format: its origins, equipment, performance structures and scoring system.
The origins
Even before 1900, artistic cycling was practised in the USA by cycling acrobats such as Nicholas Edward Kaufmann and John Featherly. These pioneers, who earned their living from performing, can be considered to be at the origin of the cycling speciality, now developed in Europe, as we know it today. Mixing elements of artistic gymnastics, vaulting and figure skating, artistic cycling is akin to formation dancing on bicycles, and is practised indoors.
Annual UCI World Championships for artistic cycling have been organised since 1956, initially only for individual men (Single Men category), but joined by a Single Women category just three years later, in 1959. UCI World Championship titles – and the familiar iconic rainbow bands – have been awarded in the Pairs categories since 1986 and the Act-4 (four artistic cyclists performing in formation) became part of the UCI competition programme in 2005.
Today's UCI World Championships for artistic cycling – held alongside those for cycle-ball at the UCI Indoor Cycling World Championships – begin with preliminary rounds, from which the four best qualify for the final, where the medals are decided. As well as the annual UCI World Championships, the UCI Artistic Cycling World Cup comprises a series of competitions throughout the year that rewards the most consistent performers.
A growing international sport
Although growing globally, artistic cycling is particularly developed in Europe and Asia. With more than 160 UCI World Championship titles and almost 400 medals across the categories, Germany is the top-performing nation. The Germans are followed by Switzerland (with 87 medals, 19 of them gold), Czechia (63 medals, 9 gold) and Austria (56 medals, 6 gold). Hong Kong has established itself as the most successful Asian nation with 15 medals since 2009.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) introduced the UCI Artistic Cycling World Cup in 2018. This series comprises three rounds followed by a fourth, final competition at which double ranking points are awarded.
Artistic cycling performance
In each competition, the athletes put together their performance from a catalogue of approximately 120 possible ‘figures’. The more difficult the programme they choose to present, the higher the points value. The given points of the exercises are added up and form the starting points tally. There are also some tactical exercises that can be spontaneously expanded during the freestyle, for which bonus points can be received.
The submitted order of the freestyle routines must be adhered to. Riders can select accompanying music, although that does not influence the scoring.
Commissaires & scoring
The Commissaires evaluate the athletes’ performances. Three pairs of Commissaires work at international competitions. The ‘writer’ announces the exercises and notes the devaluation, which is given by the ‘announcer’, who evaluates the exercises and determines deductions. The final result is the average score of the three teams of Commissaires. In addition, there is a Chief Commissaire who, among other tasks, arbitrates controversial decisions. The evaluation is carried out digitally at national and international events and shown live on screens.
Points are deducted if figures are not performed as defined, or are missing, or are performed after the time limit. Points are deducted for falling, touching the floor, unprecise or unsteady riding, or a changed order of execution. The rider with the highest final score wins. If two athletes achieve the same final result, including points scored, the person with the least percentage deduction wins. In other words, the individual, pair, or ‘four’ who rode the ‘cleanest’ are the winners.
The artistic bike
The artistic bike, also known as a ‘hall machine’, is a special, mostly handmade, bike. Made of steel or aluminium, it has a fixed 1:1 gear that enables the athlete to ride both forwards and backwards. The designs of the saddle and the handlebars enable the rider to stand on them.
The bike is equipped with tubular tyres to ensure safe grip on flat surfaces such as wooden hall floors. Tyre pressure is high, typically between 10 and 16 bars. Mandrels are attached to the axles of the wheels on both sides for the purpose of executing exercises.
Riding area and time
The artistic cycling riding area measures 14 x 11 metres – the same area as used in cycle-ball. Three circles of different diameters (0.5, 4 and 8 metres) are drawn around the centre to evaluate riding distances. For example, during exercises that are ridden for one lap, athletes are not permitted to go through the 4-metre circle. The routines must not extend beyond the outer markings.
With a time limit of five minutes, a maximum of 25 figures (Act-4 and Pairs) or even 30 figures (Single) can be presented in each routine. In the Pairs categories, athletes switch from two bicycles to one, and vice-versa.