This is not a toy: UCI forces top riders and teams to take cyclo-cross World Cup seriously

Pro CX teams must field three riders for all rounds, while top-20 riders banned from riding national events, but what of a condensed series?

Mathieu Van Der Poel rides the Hoogerheide World Cup cyclo-cross, January 2024
(Image credit: Getty Images / Iris Van Den Broek / ANP / AFP)

The UCI has revealed the details of new rules encouraging the best cyclo-cross riders to take the World Cup more seriously. They are to be enforced as of today.

Most notably, the top-20 ranked cyclo-cross riders will not be allowed to ride national level races. The idea is that the best events attracting the biggest names will want to register as an international event, says the UCI.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

James Shrubsall

After cutting his teeth on local and national newspapers, James began at Cycling Weekly as a sub-editor in 2000 when the current office was literally all fields.

Eventually becoming chief sub-editor, in 2016 he switched to the job of full-time writer, and covers news, racing and features.

A lifelong cyclist and cycling fan, James's racing days (and most of his fitness) are now behind him. But he still rides regularly, both on the road and on the gravelly stuff.