November 9/16 11:46 am - UCI Simplifies WorldTour Rankings & Will Reduce Number of Teams

Posted by Editor on 11/9/16
 

The UCI has announced that, after discussions with the Professional Cycling Council (PCC), that number of changes will be phased in over the next few years for professional men's road racing:

1. The number of WorldTour teams will remain at a maximum of 18 for for 2017 and 2018, dropping to 17 in 2019 and to 16 in 2020 (and will remain at that level moving forward).

2. Organizers of new WorldTour events in 2017 will receive three year sanctions, and all WorldTour teams will be invited but attendance will not be mandatory.

3. The separate WorldTour ranking points system will be dropped, and the UCI World Ranking points system will be used at all levels.  In addition, the Nations award will also be based on the UCI World Ranking (and the WorldTour Nations Ranking dropped).

UCI President Brian Cookson commented: "We are pleased that a new set of UCI WorldTour regulations have been agreed. We welcome the robust changes which bring about clearer guidelines in relation to team licensing and provide greater financial stability for UCI WorldTeams, as well as expanding the series globally in a sustainable manner."