Jake Latham
Held in Barcelona, Spain this week, a seminar of key UCI stakeholders discussed the details of the recent reforms and how they might make the changes function.
As noted previously, the UCI wants to introduce new licensing schemes and more events to the UCI WorldTour calendar in a bid to create more crediability, stability and sustainability in the WorldTour.
With the right design, UCI President Brian Cookson says the the reforms will showcase the best of Elite Men’s and Women’s cycling.
“Road cycling’s strengths lie in its variety, its season-long narrative, its accessibility to fans and its global nature. The UCI WorldTour needs to embrace these strengths and effectively promote them while celebrating the richness of the season and the performances of its actors.” Cookson said in a media release from the UCI this week.
The details of how the reforms will work have been agreed on by those at the seminar. A new Working Group has been created and is administered by the UCI and has two representatives from the AIGCP (teams) and AIOCC (event organisers), plus one observer representing the riders. It aims to maximise cooperation between stakeholders and advise the Professional Cycling Council regarding the UCI WorldTour Calendar.
Races wishing to join the UCI WorldTour will be assessed based on a range of criteria to ensure the technical quality of those races as well as their role in the strategic development and promotion of the UCI WorldTour and the stories of the cycling season.
The three year teams licensing scheme was also discussed, saying that it is important to build the stabilty of the teams and generate more interest from sponsors and event organisers.
The UCI WorldTour calendar starts right here in Australia for the Santos Tour Down Under on January 19, 2016.
