A forthcoming rule change by the International Cycling Union (UCI) that will limit WorldTour teams to skipping only one top-tier race all season could force the closure of some women’s teams, several managers have told Escape Collective. 

Currently, Women’s WorldTour teams are not obliged to attend all women’s WorldTour (WWT) races. Several teams frequently choose lower-tier races instead of WWT events, both in the hunt for UCI points to ensure they retain their top-level licence, and to appease certain sponsors who demand participation in ‘home’ races.

But from the 2026 season, the next three-year WorldTour cycle, both men’s and women’s WorldTour teams will have to compete in all but one of the WorldTour races, and cannot opt out of any of the three Grand Tours. There are 27 WWT races on the 2025 calendar.

Though there is broad agreement and understanding among all stakeholders that WWT teams should be competing at all WWT events, four different teams have expressed their concern to Escape, the key points being:

This article was published by Escape Collective in March 2025. You can read the full article here.