Andrew Talansky, who is currently at the Tour de Romandie, wants to reform UCI rules. Interviewed by Cyclingnews, the Cannondale rider has called USA Cycling Federation to discuss with the UCI in order to improve the regulation. Indeed, he thinks that it is not normal that riders from the WorldTour and Pro Continental level can not be present at the start of national events, unless hey are part of a national team.

According to Talansky, it is the main factor in the current difficulties for US racing calendar. "Whatever the UCI rule that exists that prohibits WorldTour riders from doing local US races is killing cycling in the US. For me, that needs to be changed, and USA Cycling has done absolutely nothing to get that done. They’re letting grassroots cycling die in the US by preventing us from doing this. I think that they’re alienating a lot of fans. The Tour of California is now the only race where they can come and see you in person, and if you can’t do that then maybe they won’t see you in person unless they can afford to come to Europe, and that’s bad for cycling."

Like most US pro riders, he makes a name rose through the ranks of the domestic racing racing scene.

He added that the UCI rules were brought in order to prevent big name riders taking away prize money. "I would happily donate my prize money or give it to the second placed rider. I’m a big fan of grassroots US cycling because that is what I grew up doing. The reason I want to race local races is because of what it brings to the race. It brings in sponsors, money and it sells out fields and helps those local races that help someone like me get to where I am now. When you take away our ability to do that, then it kills cycling at the core… We want to help US cycling come back to where it was. Nevada City used to draw every big name and now I'm not even allowed to do it."

About the UCI reform, he hopes that Tour of California will be upgraded in WorldTour level. "It (Tour of California) is drawing the best field it’s ever had. You’re going to have the sprinting who’s who, Sagan, Cavendish, and Kristoff. I think it is the most WorldTour teams that the race has ever had. I know that there are WorldTour teams that wanted to go but didn’t get n invite for whatever reason. That speaks about that race’s place on the calendar. People really want to race the Tour of California. I think it’s been kind of a staple of US cycling", he concluded.