Ligue Nationale du Cyclisme (LNC) will sue the UCI. The organization, which French cycling, does not agree with the WorldTour reforms which are set to be introduced for 2017 by the International Cycling Union. FDJ director Marc Madiot is the Chairman of the LNC.

The LNC is concerned because the addition of ten new races to the UCI WorldTour could come at the expense of the traditional French races. If French teams are required to start all those races, they have to change the focus which will damage the smaller races in Europe.

Madiot and co sought explanation from the UCI but were not satisfied with the responses. They do not agree with the union and therefore the LNC unanimously decided to start legal proceedings. 

“The LNC is acting in the interest of French cycling, its riders, teams and organisers, but also in the interests of everyone in international cycling. The globalisation of our sport cannot happen via the suppression of the pyramidal system as part of the 2017 WorldTour plans,” a LNC statement sent to  Cyclingnews reads . 

The UCI has been working on the reform for a long time. Ten races, including the Tour of Qatar, Abu Dhabi Tour and the Tour of California, are added to the calendar. Furthermore, the number of WorldTour teams was set to be reduced to seventeen but reportedly, a deal between the UCI and ASO means that the 18 applicants will all get a license. A final decision is set to be made a Professional Cycling Council meeting today.