UCI sport director Peter van den Abel has suggested that the so-called "One Cycling" project will reduce the number of races and eliminate overlap in the WorldTour calendar.

The UCI's 2030 Agenda document, released in September, suggests major reforms for 2026, when men's WorldTour team licenses will be awarded for the next three years.

The document mentions the pooling of television rights and production, as well as the creation of a new company to promote the race. Safety aspects are also included in the reforms, with race organizers to face stricter oversight and training of safety managers as early as 2023.

Long-term reforms could possibly change the balance of power within the sport and reduce the dominance of the Tour de France, especially since Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme is president of the AIOCC race organizers' association, and ASO is likely to be involved.

Reforms for 2026 may include the creation of a new category or group of races, dubbed the "UCI Champions League" by UCI David Lapartiento; the UCI, along with organizer Discovery Sport Events, already has a track and UCI has already created the UCI Track Champions League, a new format alongside the World Cup.

"Within the World Tour, there will be about 15 one-day races and 4-6 stage races each year. Eventually it will be like the UCI Champions League," LaPariente said in a video (opens in new tab) produced after the UCI World Tour seminar.

"Our idea is to enhance the attractiveness of our sport, better marketing, better broadcasting, and to be able to race in new areas, where there is currently no racing.

Jumbo Visma team manager Richard Plug, president of the AIGCP team association, revealed some details at the UCI World Tour seminar held at the end of November.

"We can finally awaken the sleeping giant we call cycling and bring out the business potential from the sport," Plug said.

Van den Abel confirmed in a conversation with broadcaster Josée de Kower on the "Play Sports" podcast (opens in new tab) that major changes could be made to the race calendar.

"Overlaps will no longer be allowed and the number of races will be reduced," Van den Abel said. This year we've had a lot of talks with the UCI and team initiatives about reforming road cycling, and we've decided that we're going to have to make some changes to the calendar."

"The discussions were led by Richard Plagge and Patrick Lefevere (of Quick Step). We had numerous meetings about TV rights, improving the cycling product, and reorganizing the calendar. It was from a blank slate."