Chris Froome is the latest high-profile critic of the WorldTour relegation system in professional cycling, while at the same time suggesting that Israel Premier Tech's fate is far from certain.

Only the top 18 teams in the 2020-2022 ranking cycle will receive top WorldTour status, so Israel Premier Tech, ranked 20th out of 21 teams, is set to be demoted to a second division professional team in 2023.

Because of their poor ranking in 2022, they will be scrambling for invitations to the biggest events, including the Tour de France, without even the safety net of an automatic invitation to World Tour races as one of the top two pro teams.

However, Froome does not consider the case closed at this time.

"There are still a lot of things up in the air at the moment about the whole relegation system, nothing is guaranteed for us," the four-time Tour de France winner told reporters, including Cycling News, at the Singapore Criterium.

"We still don't have a clear answer about the whole relegation system. Relegation has not happened yet," he added.

The demotion will be made official later this year once the UCI approves the World Tour license applications of the top 18 teams. Teams must submit bank guarantees, proof of sponsorship, and rider contracts.

"We're all waiting for it," said UCI's director of marketing, Jorge Pérez. Once that happens, things will be a little more clear."

Even if, as seems likely, Israel Premier Tech is forced to demote the division, that may not be the end of the matter. Last month, billionaire team owner Sylvan Adams denounced the system in an explosive interview and vowed to file a lawsuit against the UCI.

UCI president David LaPartient has shut down reports that he would appease the World Tour expansion, but it is unclear whether Adams still intends to follow through on the threat he made.

"I don't know the details of that, so it wouldn't be right for me to comment," Froome said.

In any case, Froome reiterated the boss's frustration with the relegation system, albeit in rather soft terms.

"Definitely needs more improvement. There are definitely some flaws," said Froome.

"First and foremost, a three-year system is a death sentence for many teams. Many teams literally live year by year, and if you have to tell teams that they may not be able to compete in the Tour de France for the next three years, many teams will close their doors.

"Personally, I would like to see that changed to a one-year system. If we get relegated, it's like a wake-up call to get ourselves back there, but with three years, we could lose two teams every time that happens."

Froome also joined the chorus of opponents of the allocation of UCI points in various races, branded "madness" by one team boss.

One-day races, even at the lower levels, carry relatively more weight than stage wins in major races.

"I won two stages in the Tour this year, but if you look at the points I actually earned, it's like having two guys in the top ten in a French Cup race. The two things don't stack up in terms of achievements," Froome said.

"The way points are allocated is the same for everyone, but it needs to be improved to make it a model that better represents professional cycling.

If all goes well, Froome will enter 2023 dreaming of his fifth title, the most in history, without knowing if he will return to the Tour de France next year.

If all licenses are approved, Israel Premier Tech should win one of ASO's two wild cards. Three teams are expected to be in this slot: B&B Hotels, which will sign Mark Cavendish; Euskaltel Euskadi, which will be the home team of the Basque Grande Pearl; and Uno-X, a Norwegian team that has also applied for a World Tour license.

"Every team wants to compete in the Tour de France.

"This year's Tour has been fantastic. Especially the cobbled stages were really big stages. I would love to come back to the Tour next year."