'I'm afraid that the level goes down' – Could the latest Women's WorldTour rule changes pile the pressure onto riders and ultimately harm the sport?

SAINT-FRANCOIS LONGCHAMP, FRANCE - AUGUST 02: Detailed view of Maeva Squiban of France and UAE Team ADQ competes during the 4th Tour de France Femmes 2025, Stage 8 a 111.9km stage from Chambery to Saint-Francois Longchamp - Col de la Madeleine 1986m / #UCIWWT / on August 02, 2025 in Saint-Francois Longchamp, France. (Photo by Szymon Gruchalski/Getty Images).

This weekend sees the Santos Women's Tour Down Under open the curtain on the 2026 Women's WorldTour season, with the best start list in its 12-year history. For the first time ever, the race will feature every one of the 14 WorldTour teams, who bring some big names to start at Willunga on Saturday.

The race is the first to be held under newest regulations introduced by the UCI, which govern the teams allowed to participate in Women's WorldTour races. For the first time, WorldTeams will be required to compete in all three women's Grand Tours and are permitted to skip only one of the remaining 24 WorldTour races in 2026, whereas previously the Women's WorldTour didn't have mandatory participation. What's more, only a maximum of four teams can skip any given race.