Nothing is more important than working with passion. And that is what we have always done, from my first election as President of COPACI in 1991 to the present day. With that passion for our work, we presented the 2030 Agenda last year, which we are fulfilling under its slogan: America rolls with modernity.
Today, we report on our progress based on the five pillars we outlined: Growth, Creativity, Impact, Transparency, and Ethics, which are aligned with the objectives promoted by the UCI. In each of these areas, we already have results to show across all Olympic disciplines, as well as in the social impact of cycling on society.
From the outset, I thank the COPACI Steering Committee, which has accompanied me and which operates steadily and in a coordinated manner, holding its regular meetings on schedule, whether virtually or in person. I also extend my gratitude to each of our 44 affiliated federations and five associated federations, and especially to all the cyclists, coaches, mechanics, and race officials in the Americas.
GROWTH: MORE IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE
Without a doubt, the multi-sport event that captured our greatest attention and commitment in 2025 was the Second Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay, where the Olympic program was showcased (Track, Road, MTB-XCO, BMX Racing, and Freestyle).
The competition for athletes under 23 years of age awarded direct qualification spots (four in track cycling, four in road cycling, and two each in Mountain Bike, BMX Racing, and BMX Freestyle) to the Lima 2027 Pan American Games for the individual champions. However, the most significant aspect was the emergence of young and talented athletes as we look ahead to this Olympic cycle and the next (2029-2032). The event allowed us to evaluate the sustained and growing work of the Paraguayan Cycling Federation as an organizer of international events, with new world-class facilities and the enthusiastic support of thousands of spectators.
But if there is one thing we can highlight as our greatest achievement during this period, it is the increase in the competition calendar on our continent. In the case of Track Cycling, 21 competitions were held in 5 countries: 2 CL-1 and 19 CL-2. Just a few weeks ago, we approved the organization of a continental circuit for 2026, which we will call the Track Cycling Americas Cup, and which will have 8 events (CL-1 and CL-2).
Road Cycling events reached 47 in 13 countries. It should be noted that 28% of these (13) were for women, including six stage races, which demonstrates the empowerment of women, just as we envisioned. For 2026, we are requesting UCI approval for the creation of a continental circuit for women with 8 races. In the case of the men, they participated in 34 races, 13 of them as part of the America Tour Circuit, which has been established for several years.
We must also highlight the achievements in Mountain Bike, with 149 events registered with the UCI, including national and regional championships, Class 1, 2, and 3 events, World Cups, and continental championships. The rise of this discipline among young people is evident, and we must preserve it with actions like those implemented this year.
The first edition of the Continental America Series MTB Circuit was a resounding success, featuring 8 XCO and 8 DHI races. It is worth noting that the UCI recognized the quality and organization, making it possible to consider repeating the experience in 2026 with even greater participation from our federations.
When discussing BMX Racing, we must mention the traditional and powerful Latin Cup, held in three countries: Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. as well as the expansion of competitions in this discipline in Central America (specifically Guatemala and Colombia). It is noteworthy that there is potential in the Americas to produce new Olympic world champions in the short term, inspired by the unforgettable example of Mariana Pajón. Our only remaining concern is that we could do more in the Caribbean region.
Finally, in the newest Olympic discipline, BMX Freestyle, the number of events held continues to rise. We have now reached 12 events in 6 countries, in addition to the Pan American Championships in the Flatland and Park disciplines. It is also worth mentioning that for the first time, 10 nations organized their National Championships.
Amidst this overview, we cannot forget that the Cyclocross, Gravel, and Enduro disciplines held their Continental Championships, as did the others mentioned, and are projecting progress in 2026 in terms of competitions and a greater presence of national federations.
In this section on GROWTH, it is worth mentioning the support COPACI has given to initiatives such as Gran Fondo races, which allow for a level of participation in the sport rarely seen in other disciplines and with successful experiences in Panama, Colombia, the United States, and a few other countries.
When we say that more is still possible, we are referring not only to consolidating what has been achieved with greater quality, but also to persisting in the modernization and construction of velodromes in those countries that do not yet have these facilities or whose facilities do not meet the official requirements for organizing continental or world events.
Furthermore, we must continue promoting cycling among the population of the host cities of the Pan American Cycling Championships, through initiatives and a more comprehensive approach to the event that extends beyond the venues or official programs.
And last but not least, we are working to expand the MyWhoosh virtual cycling app, the official platform of the e-cycling world championships, to more countries in the Americas. This would allow us to interact with a younger, more engaged audience eager to experience cycling for the first time through this format.
CREATIVITY: WE MOVE WITH PRECISE STEPS
When we set out to implement creative and innovative actions, we were aware that we would have to move quickly, but with precise steps. We have already seen the first examples in national federations, specifically the United States, Canada, Colombia, and Brazil, of leveraging technological advancements—artificial intelligence, digitization, augmented reality, and simulation—to incorporate them into their development strategies and the organization of competitions. We need to expand this.
Likewise, we continue to explore ways to incorporate more dynamic and modern technological tools to enhance race safety, improve results dissemination, enhance real-time broadcasts, and strengthen our connection with cycling fans across the continent. The use of social media and various digital platforms specializing in cycling, including COPACI’s, is no longer an exception; it’s growing daily.
As an achievement for 2025 in this area, we can highlight the reduction of accidents on the professional road circuit, resulting from more organized work among the different stakeholders in races, improved training for technical officials, and the implementation of high safety standards, as required by the UCI.
One aspect that combines creativity with human values is the increase in national and continental Para-cycling events, based on an inclusive approach. There is already a clear increase in participants in the Americas, with world-class results this year for Colombia, Brazil, and the United States. More than medals, each of these riders demonstrates a level of dedication and sacrifice that we must recognize and admire. Hence the need to offer more opportunities to Para-cycling every day.
We are aware that these are not times of economic prosperity in our continent; however, there is still potential for dialogue with the sponsors and organizers of races on our professional road circuit, with the aim of reducing costs. This will allow for greater participation from countries and cyclists, as well as increased financial support for National Federations.
Following the aforementioned Americas Track Cup, which will be launched in 2026, we will provide more targeted support in terms of resources and guidance to the Caribbean regional championships for emerging cycling nations (UCI Category 3 and 4), as we have been doing over the past 12 months.
We must be creative without being utopian. New technologies don’t dictate cycling, but they are essential today if we want to change not only training plans and other concepts, but also the way a competition is organized, from its inception to the closing day. We will not give up until we can include 30 races in the UCI America Tour calendar for 2030.
IMPACT: RADIATING THE LIGHT OF THE FUTURE
Last October, Santiago, Chile, became the epicenter of cycling, hosting the UCI Track Cycling World Championships for the Elite category for the first time. COPACI supported the national federation, which, once the event concluded, received congratulations from the UCI for its excellent organization and smooth operation. It was another clear sign of the impact of our cycling, of the light we radiate toward the future.
Following this same philosophy and with the support of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee and the government, the Paraguayan Federation and all of the Americas celebrated just a few weeks ago the awarding of the UCI Track Cycling World Championships to the velodrome in Asunción, the Paraguayan capital. We reaffirm from this moment forward that COPACI will be ready to assist in the organization should we be requested.
Regarding the Satellite Training Centers we have on our continent, we maintain all three (in Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, and Peru), where training camps have been implemented for cyclists from more than 20 countries, and professional development courses have been offered for coaches and mechanics from a similar number of nations.
It should also be noted that, as requested at the previous Congress, collaborative relationships have been strengthened with the UCI World Cycling Centre for technical advice for those who work there and are responsible for designing training programs. We thank the UCI for this gesture and hope to continue counting on this staff.
It is up to the National Federations to identify, more intentionally and quickly, potential talents who could go to our Satellite Centers or access a scholarship at the UCI World Cycling Centre.
One area of impact for our work continues to be everything related to Olympic Solidarity projects, which in 2025 reached 17 COPACI projects with a value of CHF 197,000. These projects encompass Pan American and regional championships, courses for coaches and race officials, as well as the operation of Satellite Training Centers. This demonstrates the proper use of this funding option during times of global economic crisis.
However, despite these figures, we believe that this opportunity can be further leveraged by each national federation, which would benefit more cyclists and the rest of the support staff. COPACI remains ready to assist anyone who requests it in preparing projects under the three support categories established by the Olympic Solidarity Guidelines: Education, Equipment, or Funding for Special Projects, so that they can be evaluated by the UCI under the specified terms and conditions.
Regarding applications for Special Project Funding for women’s cycling, we reiterate our invitation to focus particularly on para-cycling and cycling for all, given the strength of these areas in our Americas.
One issue that, due to its importance, we cannot overlook in this report is doping. We have implemented talks, resources, and conferences at almost all the events we organize, but we are still one of the geographical areas with the highest incidence, concentrated in a few countries. 2025 was no exception, although when compared to previous periods, it was possible to infer the number of positive results and the corresponding sanctions, which athletes have the right to appeal.
Undoubtedly, the work with our commissioners underwent a profound revolution in 2025, just as we envisioned in the 2023 Agenda, based on a smart and well-designed system of training, talent acquisition, mentorship, and knowledge standardization. This will position the Americas at a new level of global prominence in this area.
It is only fair to acknowledge the role of Elaine Sirydakishe, President of the COPACI Arbitration Commission, in all of the above. She has opened doors to international courses, created exchange opportunities, and structured a genuine network of talent for becoming commissioners in our continent.
Among the actions undertaken is the RADAR COPACI Continental Plan, whose objective is to map who is arbitrating, at what level, in what modalities, and with what experience. It also aims to identify promising young commissioners with the potential to become international and connect these talents with mentorship and exchange opportunities.
Further details illustrate what has been accomplished: a face-to-face course for Elite National Road Race Commissaires in Panama City; and another for Track Cycling in Santiago, Chile, in collaboration with the Chilean Olympic Committee, its National Federation, and the UCI Elite World Championship Organizing Committee. The UCI and COPACI provided funding for their support and implementation.
The light we radiate is not at the end of the tunnel; it has been visible for much longer, and we must not stop.
TRANSPARENCY: CLEAR AND ROBUST ACCOUNTS
Since 2021, COPACI has implemented a robust economic structure and procedure, making all the organization’s actions more transparent. This structure can be audited by the UCI at its discretion. Furthermore, we work daily to refine and improve it, maintaining high standards of reliability and zero tolerance for corruption.
Currently, we have UCI recognition for the quality of these controls, as we have a Finance Committee that reviews and approves all the Confederation’s expenses monthly. This demonstrates that we are not only competitively strong, but also clean and transparent in the new governance model we uphold.
The COPACI Management Committee has strengthened, under the principles of respect and authority, the oversight of each of the Olympic Solidarity actions and projects approved for national federations, as well as for COPACI itself. Following the experience of the II Junior Pan American and Parapan American Games in Asunción, our sport was recognized for its excellence in event organization by Panam Sports, the governing body of cycling in the Americas, as well as by other sports entities at various regional events.
We have continued our relationships with Non-Governmental Organizations at the national, regional, and continental levels, with the aim of creating new spaces and events for the development of cycling in the Americas.
We have given special attention to providing technical assistance and new proposals for support and events to the National Federations that make up the group of emerging cycling countries, UCI Category 3 and 4.
Steps have already been taken to generate new revenue streams through innovative models proposed by the National Federations and Pan American Commissions, including potential donations of bicycles to develop cycling in the areas with the greatest potential in each country.
The empowerment of women within our organization has been strengthened. In federation positions, we have seven women, three of whom are members of the COPACI Management Committee. We continue to give vitality and an active voice to the female presence within COPACI, which is in line with global trends.
As established in our Constitution, we will present new COPACI MERIT awards, as well as other prizes that may be approved, to the historical figures of cycling in the Americas in 2026, as just recognition of their achievements and love for this sport.
Finally, regarding this pillar, we must conclude that good practices, humility, the example set by cycling leaders in each nation, accurate recognition, and incorruptible conduct will continue to be the inviolable principles of our work.
ETHICS: OUR MORAL STRENGTH AND EDUCATION
We outlined it in the 2030 Agenda as a pillar perhaps more intangible than others, but essential for survival in today’s world. The economic dividend that cycling generates for all its participants is very high. And it is constantly increasing, hence the need to strengthen controls and oversight in the face of the growing use of prohibited substances and attempts at technological fraud. Many forget that the essence of sports is to maintain ethical conduct above any monetary prize.
We have all worked on the education of young cyclists from an early age, but it is imperative that we not falter in this endeavor, with an emphasis on the health consequences of doping, as well as the moral damage it inflicts on their sporting careers and on a society where they go, in mere seconds, from idols to villains.
We must prioritize prevention plans, which are not magic solutions on their own, but rather a significant bulwark in these matters. Greater attention must also be paid to those who are concluding their active careers as cyclists. This includes connecting them with new opportunities and providing support when needed, whether for health issues or other problems, but above all, making them feel connected to the sport to which they dedicated their best years.
We have promoted sports ethics through conferences, talks, and seminars in the countries with the highest rates of doping in recent years, in coordination with the National Federations. However, it is urgent that this approach extends from childhood to high-performance levels, encompassing not only riders but also coaches, medical personnel, and the entire cycling community in the Americas.
We have managed to maintain the trend of the previous period, when we succeeded in reducing doping cases among cyclists, by 2025, thanks to the combined efforts of the National Federations and the anti-doping teams in each country. Nevertheless, as long as even one case remains, we must continue working.
These are times when the manipulation of information about competitions and fake news proliferate across all possible spaces and social networks. Hence the need to strengthen the official digital sites of each national federation, led by the official COPACI website: www.copaci.org.
We applaud all the initiatives generated on World Bicycle Day and International Cycling Day, as well as on the anniversaries of the UCI and COPACI, by each of the National Federations. We hope this will continue in 2026.
For this second year of our term, we propose to bring to life the Cycling Hall of Fame of the Americas, a moral space to recognize the contributions to our sport of cyclists, coaches, clubs, and other personalities from the social and political life of our Americas.
CYCLING FAMILY:
Many things have been accomplished in just 365 days, and between tangible achievements and recognized financial health, we will always be unsatisfied with the potential we know exists among us. COPACI and its leaders maintain that the most important thing is to work with love. And here we are, keeping pace with modernity.