From 1994 the championship became a single event again open to all elite riders.

All are organized by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), and the winner has the right to wear the rainbow jersey for a full year, like the winners of the world championships in other cycling disciplines.

Unlike many UCI-sanctioned races, all the World Championships are organized by nationality, not by commercial teams.

The race is usually held towards the end of the season; normally January.

This list does not include the Men's Amateur World Championship medal winners.