David Lappartient has been re-elected for a third term as president of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), consolidating his leadership in a historic moment for cycling. The confirmation came during the 194th Congress of the institution, held in Kigali, Rwanda, as part of the first Road World Championship organized on African soil. His re-election, unopposed and by acclamation, reflects not only the confidence he inspires in national federations but also the continuity of a project that seeks to expand cycling on a global scale.

At 52 years old, the French leader does not hide his enthusiasm for continuing to promote this sport. In his words, shared on the social network X, he expressed feeling honored by the trust placed in him and reaffirmed his commitment to promoting cycling across the five continents. Lappartient enters this new term with the experience of two previous mandates and with a career that combines his political and sporting vocation, elements that have made him an influential figure beyond the UCI itself.

A Congress in Africa that makes history

The re-election of Lappartient did not take place in just any setting. Kigali witnessed a Congress that brought together 117 national federations and coincided with a World Championship that, for the first time, brought cycling on the road to the heart of the African continent. This symbolic context highlights the effort of the UCI to decentralize the sport and broaden its horizons toward new regions. It was not only an administrative act but also a gesture toward the globalization of cycling, in line with the vision of a president who has defended universal access to this discipline.

The unanimity in his election also speaks to the stability within the federation and the support his management enjoys. Without the need for a vote, his continuity was ratified according to the statutes, a fact that demonstrates the absence of internal divisions and the consensus reached around his figure. In a sport undergoing profound changes, from technology to the fight for equity, having solid leadership is essential to project a sustainable future.

A figure beyond cycling

David Lappartient is not only the president of the UCI; his influence has extended to the Olympic movement and the political sphere. In France, he serves as president of the Council of the department of Morbihan, and until June 2025 he held the presidency of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), a role he carried out during the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. This combination of responsibilities has made him a leader with a broad vision, capable of building bridges between sport and public administration.

His aspiration to the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), although unsuccessful after Kirsty Coventry won the vote, demonstrated Lappartient’s ambition to continue growing in the global sporting sphere. Now, with four more years at the head of the UCI, the challenge will be to reaffirm the progress achieved and continue transforming cycling into a truly universal sport, with Africa as a new protagonist in this journey.