UCI race classifications decoded

One of the most commonly asked questions of our hard working editorial team at Cyclingnews is, "What do the weird numbers e.g. 1.1, 2.UWT, CM etc. beside the race names mean?"

The UCI has classification criteria that it applies to races in all disciplines, with a classification convention that reflects the type (one day or stage race); and relative importance of the race with respect to UCI points, prize money, size of the field and number of teams from each teams division that can start.

There are some designations that apply to all disciplines for events that include all rider categories (elite, under-23, junior) or multiple disciplines.

Universal abbreviations

• JO = Olympic Games (Jeux Olympiques)
• CM = World Championships (Championnat Mondial)
• CN = National Championships
• CC = Continental Championships
• JC = Continental Games
• JR = Regional Games
• NE = National Event (No UCI points)

Road race classes

There are three major designations for road: WorldTour events such as the three Grand Tours, the Pro Series and the Class 1 or 2 events.

The value before the decimal in the race class designates whether the event is a one-day race (1) or a stage race (2).

The second indicates what type of race it is or its series: UWT for men's WorldTour, WWT for women's WorldTour. Pro for ProSeries, 1 and 2 are class 1 and 2 and can apply to elite men, elite women, under-23 and junior events.

Rider categories:

ME = elite men
WE = elite women
MU = under-23 men
WU = under-23 women
MJ = junior men
WJ = junior women

Because under-23 men can compete in 1.2 or 2.2 ranked races, the events specifically for that category have a U tacked onto the end. There is also an under-23 Nations' Cup series that gets NCup at the end.

Road race classes

• 1.UWT = Men's WorldTour one-day race
• 1.WWT = Women's WorldTour one-day race
• 2.UWT = Men's WorldTour stage race
• 2.WWT = Women's WorldTour stage race
• 1.Pro = ProSeries one-day race
• 2.Pro = ProSeries one-day race
• 1.1 = Class 1 one-day race
• 2.1 = Class 1 stage race
• 1.2 = Class 2 one-day race
• 2.2 = Class 2 stage race
• 1.1U/2.1U/1.2U/2.2U = under-23 only version of above
• 1.NCup = Nations' Cup one-day race
• 2.NCup = Nations' Cup stage race

Mountain Bike race classes

Mountain biking has even more abbreviations because of the different types of races.

Mountain bike race abbreviations

• XCO = Cross-country Olympic
• XCM = Cross-country marathon
• XCP = Cross-country point-to-point
• XCC = Cross-country short track
• XCE = Cross-country eliminator
• XCT = Cross-country time trial
• XCR = Cross-country team relay
• XCS = Cross-country stage race
• DHI = Downhill individual
• DHM = Downhill marathon
• 4X = Four cross
• EDR / EDR-E = Enduro or Enduro eBike
• PUM = Pump track
• SNO = Snow Bike
• E-MTB = E-Mountain Bike

MTB race classes

• CDM = World Cup 
• SHC = Hors (above) category stage race
• S1 = Class 1 stage race
• S2 = Class 2 stage race
• HC = Above category one-day race
• C1 = Class 1 one-day race
• C2 = Class 2 one-day race
• C3 = Class 3 one-day race

Track race classes

Track events can have many races but the overall event can also be of a certain class. In addition to the universal designations like World Championships, there is a Nations' Cup (CDN) and Track Champions League. 

• CDN = Nations' Cup
• CL1 = Class 1
• CL2 = Class 2
• TCL = Track Champions League

Cyclocross race classes

There are only three designations for non-championship cyclocross races, the World Cup being the highest designation.

• CDM = World Cup
• C1 = Class 1
• C2 = Class 2