Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Cycling News
Cycling News
Sport
Laura Weislo

I spent three years tracking cycling's team rankings for WorldTour promotion/relegation, and the data is fascinating

PARIS - CHAMPS-ELYSEES, FRANCE - JULY 27: Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG - Yellow leader jersey leads the peloton during the 112th Tour de France 2025, Stage 21 a 132.3km stage from Mantes-la-Ville to Paris - Champs-Elysees / #UCIWT / on July 27, 2025 in Paris - Champs-Elysees, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images).

As a data science nerd, I've been closely following the professional cycling's promotion/relegation scheme since it began in 2020, tracking the UCI Team Rankings that will determine which 18 teams might get a WorldTour licence. I've picked apart each team's results, rosters and strategy while also taking a wider view on how the relatively new scheme has changed the sport.

For the purposes of this article, the Women's WorldTour - equally as interesting in terms of racing - will have to take a back seat. Between teams going away and fewer applications for WorldTour licences, there hasn't been the dramatic battle to avoid relegation that we've see on the men's side.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.