UCI announces complete overhaul of WorldTour points system
From the start of 2017, the men's WorldTour will use the same points system as the World Ranking - Mountains and points classification winners recognised for first time
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announced on Thursday that it has made major changes to the men's WorldTour road race ranking points system for the 2017 season.
Confusingly, the UCI WorldTour ranking used a completely different points scale to the similarly-named UCI World Ranking, which was introduced for the 2016 season.
Now, the WorldTour will use the same points scale as used for the World Ranking.
This means that riders will now get points for placing in the top 60 rather than top 20 of a race. In addition, points will be allocated to riders who top the final points and mountain classifications in Grand Tours, and points are awarded to a rider wearing a race leader's jersey per stage.
>>> UCI WorldTour 2017 calendar
"A greater number of riders will therefore be able to score points," said the UCI. "Which will improve the spectacle, benefit teams in the team ranking and reward riders who previously received no points when finishing below 20th place."
The WorldTour nation ranking has been scrapped all together, and the WorldTour team ranking will also been changed.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
>>> New WorldTour seems like ‘total chaos’, says race director
Previously, only the top five riders in each team had their points added together to give the team's figure. Now, all members of a team will have their points put forward to their team's ranking.
"This change should encourage better performances from the whole team because results achieved by all a team’s riders will be taken into account," says the UCI.
The WorldTour ranking only tallies points from races in the WorldTour calendar, while the World Ranking includes points gained from any event in the UCI road calendar. This comprises: UCI WorldTour, UCI Continental Circuits, UCI World Championships, National and Continental Championships, Olympic Games and Continental Games. There are currently 2,952 riders in the World Ranking.
The UCI also reports that the 11 newly-introduced 2017 WorldTour events – including the RideLondon-Surrey Classic – will have their own points scale.
The 2017 men's WorldTour kicks off with the Tour Down Under over January 17-22. Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) topped the 2016 WorldTour ranking.
UCI WorldTour points allocation 2017
Source: UCI race regulations
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
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
'There's still some room for improvement' - Tadej Pogačar thinks he can get even better in 2025
After winning the Triple Crown of the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and the World Championships, Pogačar wants more
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Patrick Lefevere to step down as Soudal Quick-Step boss
Controversial Belgian to be replaced by Jurgen Foré after over 20 years in charge
By Adam Becket Last updated
-
‘It’s unprofessional and I’m p****d off’: Riders and staff learned of British Continental team’s decision to close via social media
A handful of team personnel only learned on social media that they would not have jobs in 2025 after Saint Piran's demise
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
UK team asking athletes to pay £500 for a 'performance test review' as part of application and has insisted riders sign an NDA to join
British Continental team Saint Piran charging hefty fee for data review with no guarantee that applicants will get a place on the team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
What is the new 'yellow card' system in place at the Tour de France Femmes?
Barbara Guarischi becomes first rider to receive booking after yellow card trial brought in by world governing body
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'We are not afraid': UCI to pay for 'qualified information' relating to possible motor doping
President David Lappartient also says that he is "not afraid to to catch a top rider" should they be using motored assistance inside their bike
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Yellow cards to be trialled in pro cycling amid raft of UCI rule changes
The way time gaps are calculated is also set to be altered
By Adam Becket Published
-
'All the conditions are met, then it's questioned again' - Visma-Lease a Bike bemoan UCI review after 'a lot of money' spent on development of Giro helmet
Team reacts to governing body statement on Tuesday, day after new helmet was debuted
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
The UCI is banning time trial helmet optimisations - one day after Giro lid broke cover
The 'head sock' is out, with more helmets to be reviewed - whilst hookless rim investigation is still ongoing
By Adam Becket Published
-
UCI launches investigation into massive men's Tour of Flanders pileup
World governing body also investigating road-blocking team tactics used by DSM in the race as well as by Trek-Segafredo at Dwars door Vlaanderen
By Tom Thewlis Published