The timetable of the professional riders is very full, especially in Europe. And Brian Cookson, the Union Cycliste Internationale president, wishes declutter the cycling calendar with an clash idea: shorten the Tour de France. The Irishman gave an interview with the Spanish newspaper As. 

"Nothing is untouchable. We want to plan for a better sport, in that the best riders compete in the best races. With the current structure of three Grand Tours of three weeks it is impossible. We have too many races and days of competition in a lengthy calendar, which requires a significant financial strain. The sport of cycling isn't simple. We are looking for adequate solutions", he explained. In recent weeks, rumors announced that the Giro and the Vuelta will be held over two weeks.

In 2017, there will be a major reform of professional cycling. Cookson doesn't want two World Tour events are competing at the same time.

"We have discussed for a long time who will take the biggest part of the pie, and what we have to do is make a bigger pie for everyone to take a larger piece. The important thing is that teams are stronger, the races are bigger, etc. But as part of this we are obliged to look elsewhere. We need to respect the heritage of the sport, which is in Europe, but we must seek new opportunities for teams and riders", he told Ciclo21.