International Cycling Union reveal major reforms

WorldTour teams are set to be given three-year licenses from 2017 ©AFP/Getty Images

Longer WorldTour licenses and mandatory anti-doping controls are among several changes which have been unveiled by the International Cycling Union (UCI) as part of their reforms of men’s professional cycling, following a two-year consultation process.

The reforms, which were approved by the UCI’s management committee at a meeting of the Professional Cycling Council during this week’s Road World Championships in the United States, are part of the governance changes promised by UCI President Brian Cookson following his election in 2013.

Among the changes are the introduction of three-year WorldTour licences for teams, rather than awarding them annually, which is seen as an important step towards increased stability in team structures which the UCI hope will encourage investment.

A maximum of 18 teams will be granted UCI WorldTour licenses for the 2017 to 2019 seasons with the awarding set to be based upon financial, sporting, administrative, organisational and ethical criteria.

As part of the conditions to be a WorldTeam, outfits must adhere to internal operational requirements, which the UCI have developed in an effort to strengthen the integrity of teams and boost anti-doping measures as the governing body aims to restore credibility to the sport.

Having been trialled in 2014, the system is centred on ten main rules or Cahier des Charges.

These include a cap on the number of race days, a limit on how many different riders one coach is allowed to handle and the number of cyclists in a team.

“By implementing these key reforms, the UCI is sending a strong signal to cycling fans, broadcasters and commercial partners about the continued improvements in the governance and organisational structures of our sport,” said Cookson.

“This is an important moment for professional cycling and another major step forward as we continue to restore trust and credibility.”

UCI President Brian Cookson hopes the reforms will attract further investment into the sport ©Getty Images

In addition to the alterations to teams, a limited number of new races are also set to be added onto the WorldTour calendar from 2017, following an assessment of the strengths of the existing season, with the aim that further high quality events will reinforce its position as the sport’s elite level competition.

The UCI have stated that an application process is set to open later this year with both new and existing races which apply set to be assessed against strict standards to ensure the calendar has a stronger structure.

Despite the changes, one of the more radical suggestions regarding the reform of the calendar, the reduction in length of the three Grand Tours, is not part of the reforms with the stage races set to remain at three weeks long.

The rankings for men’s road cycling are set to be altered, however, with individual rankings of cyclists to become universal from the top to third tiers, while individual specialist rankings are set to be considered to reward the top climber, sprinter, one-day rider and stage racer in a bid to increase both fans and media engagement.

Nation rankings are also set to be based on the individual standings of the top eight riders from each country and WorldTeam rankings will be based entirely on WorldTour events.

Second-tier teams with be judged on both WorldTour and second tier events.

“These are important changes that will help to further enhance men’s professional road cycling and aide its global growth and development,” said Cookson.

“I would like to thank all stakeholders for their positive and constructive approach to this reform process.

“I believe that the measures announced today will help to bring greater stability and growth to men’s professional road cycling while also opening the door to greater technological innovation and fan engagement.”