Cycling Bosses Propose New League Format

World governing body of cycling, the UCI, has proposed a three-tier league system for professional road racing, which could feature promotion and relegation and – if successful – could see the WorldTour scrapped in favour of a new 16-team first division racing across 120 days.

According to media reports, an eight-team second tier would then race over 50 days, with a lower tier consisting of regional divisions.

The reforms will be considered for approval in January and if given the go-ahead would be introduced from 2015.

The proposals would be fully in place by 2020, according to a newsletter published by the UCI.

Newly elected UCI president Brian Cookson said in the article: ‘In order to restore confidence in the UCI and promote cycling all around the world, we have to transform the way in which anti-doping procedures are managed, restructure elite road cycling, develop women’s cycling and reinforce our position and influence, in particular within the Olympic Movement.’

‘These are immense tasks and work on them has started already.’