The reforms, set to come into force for the 2017 season, were approved by the UCI Management Committee during the Road Cycling World Championships in the American city Richmond in September, following a two-year consultation process.

Among the changes would be a move to award three-year WorldTour licences for teams, rather than awarding them annually.

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.

Additionally, 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 International Association of Cycling Race Organizers (AIOCC), of which ASO have almost a majority position, unanimously rejected the reforms last month.

Representatives of over 25 UCI WorldTour events, the 18 UCI World Teams and riders agreed on its terms during a two-day WorldTour seminar earlier this month, however.

ASO have now opted to register their events for the second tier Hors Classe (HC) status for 2017 season, rather than the top tier WorldTour, and informed the UCI of their decision earlier today.

“UCI has actually recently adopted, from season 2017, a Reform of the World Tour calendar characterized by a closed sport system,” an ASO statement read.

“More than ever, ASO remains committed to the European model and cannot compromise the values it represents: an open system giving first priority to the sporting criterion.

“It is, therefore, in this new context and within its historical events that A.S.O. will continue to keep these values alive.”

ASO races, such as the Tour de France and Paris-Roubaix, would remain part of the WorldTour calendar for the forthcoming season which would require them to invite all 18 of the WorldTour teams to the events.

By registering their events for the HC status, however, ASO would have greater freedom to pick and choose the teams they invite to the races.

The UCI believe their reforms will encourage stability to create further investment for growth and provide stronger structures to ensure cycling's credibility, and despite ASO’s position are set to push through the changes.

“The reform of men’s professional road cycling, which will enable sensible and gradual evolution of this important part of our sport, was approved by the Professional Cycling Council (PCC) in June and ratified by the UCI Management Committee in September,” a UCI statement read in response to ASO’s announcement.

“It has been developed over two years of very detailed and open dialogue and consultation amongst a diverse group of stakeholders, including race organisers, teams and riders.

“The reform will offer stability for all, and will allow our sport to grow sustainably while protecting the interests of existing stakeholders.

“The UCI remains committed to implementing the reforms which were agreed as part of this extensive consultation process and which the UCI believes properly balances the interests of all those involved in professional cycling.”