The Int'l Cycling Union (UCI) "is proposing to scrap the sport's existing WorldTour and replace it with three divisions and a promotion and relegation system," according to Matt Westby of SKY SPORTS. Now under the leadership of Britain's Brian Cookson, the UCI "aims to submit the plan for approval" in January, begin implementing the changes in '15 and have the new model fully in place by '20. The first division would be made up of 16 elite teams competing over 120 days of racing per season, "with the second division comprising eight teams racing over 50 days." A third division "would then be made up of Professional Continental and Continental teams from the Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Oceania Tours." The new format "would see the season run from February to October, with no overlap between events and stage races cut to five or six days." Teams will be selected for the first division based on sporting, ethical, financial and administrative criteria, "with sporting performances determining who is relegated and promoted at the end of the season" (SKY SPORTS, 10/8).
