High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The 2012 UCI World Tour was the fourth edition of the ranking system launched by the International Cycling Union (UCI) in 2009. The series started with the Tour Down Under`s opening stage on 17 January, and consisted of 14 stage races, 14 one-day races, and one team time trial (which only counted towards the team rankings). The Tour of Hangzhou which was originally included in the list of races was postponed until 2013.