Professional cycling’s organisational landscape has shifted, with Vuelta a Espana director Javier Guillen elected as the new president of the AIOCC — the influential body representing organisers of the sport’s major races. His appointment brings an end to Christian Prudhomme’s 15-year tenure, marking the first leadership change at the association since 2009.Prudhomme, the long-standing boss of the Tour de France, opted not to seek re-election. His time in charge coincided with a period of unprecedented growth for the Tour, both commercially and globally. Now the reins pass to Guillen, a figure widely credited with revitalising the Vuelta and turning it into one of cycling’s most dynamic and internationally resonant Grand Tours.
Guillen’s leadership comes at a pivotal moment. The Vuelta under his guidance has embraced steep final climbs, creative route designs and bold ideas that have helped it stand out in an increasingly crowded calendar. That reputation for innovation means the AIOCC now places one of cycling’s most forward-thinking organisers at the heart of strategic decision-making.
His challenge will be to balance tradition with the sport’s rapid pace of change. Cycling faces pressures from global expansion, city-hosting negotiations, safety concerns, a growing women’s calendar and long-running discussions over season structure. Guillen’s track record suggests he will be an advocate for evolution rather than preservation alone.
AIOCC board strengthened with greater diversity
Alongside Guillen, the association confirmed a refreshed and more geographically varied board. Key roles include:
Ruben Peris (Volta a Catalunya) and Thierry Gouvenou (Paris–Roubaix) as vice-presidents
Luc Gheysens (Gent–Wevelgem) as secretary general
Sonia Martinez Barrio (Vuelta a Catalunya Femenina) as deputy secretary
Eddy Buchette (Tour of Luxembourg) as treasurer
Yannick Talabardon (Paris–Nice) as deputy treasurer
Additional board members from North America, women’s racing and Flanders: Joseph Limare, Franck Perque and Wim Van Herreweghe
This expanded structure reflects a conscious effort to broaden representation and strengthen the voice of women’s race organisers.
A new era for cycling’s major organisers
Guillen’s arrival signals a fresh direction for the AIOCC at a time when the sport’s global footprint is rapidly evolving. With a more diverse leadership team around him, he now takes responsibility for guiding cycling’s biggest races through a period defined by both opportunity and substantial change.