The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and its World Cycling Centre (WCC) will enhance their mechanics’ training programme in 2022 thanks to Shimano’s Technology Education and Certification training courses.
From February 2022, Shimano will provide tutorials and instruction videos that will be delivered by UCI experts to mechanics worldwide.
Shimano’s contribution to the training programme strengthens the company’s partnership with the UCI, which dates back to 1999.
Myron Walraven, head of Shimano Europe Sports Marketing: "With this enhanced aspect of our partnership with the UCI, we are able to contribute to increasing the number of high skilled, professional bike mechanics around the world. Furthermore, we are able to support the behind-the-scenes heroes and, indirectly, provide a quality cycling experience for young and old, and amateurs and professionals around the world."
The UCI’s WCC Mechanics’ courses are aimed at people wishing to pursue a career as a mechanic. The programme is divided into three levels: Level 1 is a three-day introductory course that can be completed online; Level 2 is a two-week course for developing mechanics who must attend in person; Level 3, also two weeks and in person, is for experienced mechanics who will be working for teams or their National Federation.
In 2021 alone, 60 mechanics were trained across the three levels at courses delivered by UCI experts at its headquarters in Aigle, Switzerland (32), in Cairo, Egypt (16) and in Luoyang, China (12). For 2022, Shimano has created specific videos that will be used for the Level 1 course. Participants of the two more advanced courses will have access to existing videos on the Shimano T.E.C platform.
The UCI WCC Director Vincent Jacquet welcomed Shimano’s contribution to the courses: “The professionalisation of people working in cycling is one of our missions, and by providing access to their training videos, Shimano is helping us ensure that mechanics worldwide will be trained to the highest possible level.”
Participants in the UCI WCC courses learn skills such as bike building, wheel building, maintenance, servicing, race preparation and position on the bike. Numerous former attendees have gone on to work for their National Federations, professional teams, local clubs or have set up their own bike shops. Hundreds of participants are expected to benefit from the mechanics training programme in 2022, with 10 courses scheduled over the three levels.
For more information about Shimano’s T.E.C. courses, dealers should contact their local distributor. For further information about the UCI courses, applicants should write to formation@uci.ch.
Courses are delivered via an online learning platform geared toward mechanics and shop personnel worldwide. S-TEC is available to dealers in 189 countries worldwide with 30,000 members in Europe alone. European courses are subtitled in 10 languages and in 2021 the platform saw over 200,000 course completions. There are approximately 180 live courses to choose from at any time.
Founded in 1900 in Paris (France), the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the worldwide governing body for cycling. It develops and oversees cycling in all its forms, for all people: as a competitive sport, a healthy recreational activity, a means of transport, and also just for fun. The UCI manages and promotes the eight cycling disciplines: road, track, mountain bike, BMX Racing, BMX Freestyle, cyclo-cross, trials and indoor cycling. Five of these are featured on the Olympic Games programme (road, track, mountain bike, BMX Racing and BMX Freestyle), two in the Paralympic Games (road and track) and four in the Youth Olympic Games (road, mountain bike, BMX Racing and BMX Freestyle). For more information: www.uci.org.
Shimano is dedicated to helping its customers get closer to nature, supporting people to realize their dreams and create new lifestyles. That comes with the desire to create outstanding cycling products and apparel. With 100 years’ experience in creating internationally renowned bicycle components, Shimano is proud to have developed products that continue to take countless athletes to victory and provide the means for limitless global bicycle journeys. For more information see www.shimano.com.
About Shimano
About Shimano Europe: Founded in 1921, Shimano is dedicated to helping its customers get closer to nature, supporting people to realize their dreams and create new lifestyles. That comes with the desire to create outstanding cycling products and apparel. With over 100 years’ experience in creating internationally renowned bicycle components, Shimano is proud to have developed products that continue to take countless athletes to victory and provide the means for limitless global bicycle journeys. For more information see: bike.shimano.com