UCI sets guidelines for registration and race invitations in women's WorldTour
Teams in the top 20 of the UCI Women's WorldTour rankings will automatically be invited to WorldTour one-day races, while the top 15 will be invited to stage races
Britain's Wiggle-High5 go into the 2016 season as the highest ranked women's team under the new ranking system for the women's WorldTour.
The team, known as Wiggle-Honda in past seasons, sits over 200 points clear of Rabo-Liv and Boels-Dolmans in the list of 40 teams eligible to ride WorldTour races this season.
Cycling's governing body, the UCI, has set out the guidelines for registration and race invitation for the WorldTour, with teams incentivised to reach the higher levels of the ranking with the guarantee of automatic invitations for the big races.
According to the new regulations, organisers of the races in the WorldTour, which replaces the World Cup this season, must invite the top 20 teams for one-day races and the top 15 teams for stage races.
Currently, Astana Women's Team sit in 15th place, the cut-off for stage racing, while Topsport Vlaaderen-Etixx sit in 20th.
The ranking system is based on the individual UCI points of the team's top four riders, as well as points gained at the World Championships team time trial.
While Wiggle-High5 sit on 3390.5 points, teams towards the middle of the ranking table sit below 500 points.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
I'm about to turn 40 - how can I keep riding fast?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
By Charlie Graham-Dixon Published
-
Life Time Grand Prix to have fewer riders and wild cards in 2025
The flagship US gravel series has confirmed the six races that will be a part of the competition next year
By Adam Becket Published