UCI Cracks Down on Online Abuse with New ‘Threat Matrix’ System
- Cycling’s governing body, the UCI, is taking a firm stance against online abuse directed at riders, staff and officials, rolling out a new system on February 4, 2026,...
- The UCI’s response comes as online harassment of cyclists has escalated beyond traditional forms of abuse, such as objects thrown at riders during races.
- “Online communication comes with certain risks that the UCI will not tolerate when it comes to the wellbeing of riders, their entourage, and cycling’s stakeholders,” stated UCI director...
Cycling’s governing body, the UCI, is taking a firm stance against online abuse directed at riders, staff and officials, rolling out a new system on , designed to identify and address threats. The initiative, dubbed “Threat Matrix,” utilizes artificial intelligence to monitor social media platforms for abusive content.
The UCI’s response comes as online harassment of cyclists has escalated beyond traditional forms of abuse, such as objects thrown at riders during races. Today’s digital landscape allows for a constant stream of negativity, insults, and even threats directed at athletes through platforms like X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. Last year, Brian Coquard faced such intense abuse after a crash involving Jasper Philipsen at the Tour de France that his team considered legal action. More recently, Uno-X climber Tobias Johannessen expressed being “terrified” by the threats he received after a high-profile race in Toulouse.
“Online communication comes with certain risks that the UCI will not tolerate when it comes to the wellbeing of riders, their entourage, and cycling’s stakeholders,” stated UCI director general Amina Lanaya. “With this, we are sending out a clear message that nobody will get away with this sort of harassment in our sport.”
From Roadside Harassment to Digital Threats
The UCI recognizes that abuse has evolved. While incidents of spectators throwing objects at riders, like the bottle thrown at Mathieu van der Poel during Paris-Roubaix, remain a concern, the rise of social media has opened a new avenue for harassment. Riders are now subjected to criticism and threats not just at the roadside, but in their inboxes and on their social media feeds.
The “Threat Matrix” system, developed by the Signify Group, employs a hybrid approach, combining AI technology with human analysis. The AI component scans for keywords, emojis, and images identified as potentially abusive or threatening across 20 different categories, ranging from body image comments to racism, sexism, sexual violence, and death threats. Identified content is then reviewed by human analysts for further investigation.
The system isn’t limited to public posts. The UCI is also utilizing the platform to monitor direct messages (DMs) on platforms like WhatsApp and through email, offering a layer of protection against private harassment. Riders who are victims of abuse via private messaging are encouraged to continue using the UCI’s confidential reporting platform, SpeakUp.
How Threat Matrix Works
Signify Group has a proven track record in protecting individuals from online abuse, providing similar services to governing bodies in other sports, including ski, tennis, rugby, and football. The UCI’s implementation of Threat Matrix will initially benefit riders, teams, support staff, commissaires, and other officials involved in UCI WorldTour and UCI Women’s WorldTour events in .
The process involves several steps. Once potentially abusive content is identified, analysts will assess and investigate it. They will then report abusive content to the relevant social media platform for potential account or content removal. High-risk threats will be flagged to the UCI, and perpetrators may be identified for action by the UCI or law enforcement authorities.
The UCI aims to use the data collected through Threat Matrix to establish the prevalence of online abuse within the cycling community and to inform future measures to combat it. This initial phase in will serve as a data-gathering exercise to better understand the scope of the problem and refine the system’s effectiveness.
The move represents a significant step by the UCI to protect its athletes and stakeholders in an increasingly hostile online environment. While the system is not a complete solution, it signals a commitment to addressing the growing problem of online abuse and creating a safer space for those involved in professional cycling. The UCI’s decision to address this issue alongside discussions about rider airbags and the yellow card system, as discussed during a recent meeting in Beveren, Belgium, underscores the organization’s multifaceted approach to rider safety and wellbeing.