RICHMOND, Va. (AP) β Cycling’s governing body has announced a new tour for women’s cycling, promising more races and greater visibility for what has largely been a neglected part of the sport.
The growth of women’s racing was part of Brian Cookson’s platform when he ran for UCI president. The organization spent the past year consulting with organizers, teams and riders before launching the series during the world championships.
The WorldTour replaces the antiquated World Cup system. It will run from March through September and include 17 events in the U.S., Europe and Asia. The top 20 professional teams will be invited to participate, much like the men’s version of the WorldTour.
Cookson called the announcement “a major step forward for women’s cycling.”
