Eight or nine riders in the grand tourse? The sudden decision of the big race organizers ASO, RCS Sport and Flanders Classics to reduce the team size has started a big discussion in the cycling world. Giant-Alpecin manager Iwan Spekenbrink plas a key role as spokesman of the teams association AIGCP and has revealed his thoughts in an interview with radsport-news.com.

"Two weeks ago, many decisions were made (during the meeting of the Professional Cycling Council PCC in Geneva, ed.) and it is impossible to cancel them now. Either we respect all the processes during which the UCI make the rules as fair as possible or everyone continually makes his own rules when he is not completely satisfied," the Dutchman told the German website.

Spekenbrink makes it clear that all stakeholders should comply with the agreements made.

"It is the UCI that makes the rules and it is up to all stakeholders to respect these rules. Everybody advocates for improvements in sport. Everybody has his own interests and we have to take all the groups into consideration. The current discussion cannot be considered alone and is linked to a range of elements that together form the WorldTour."

Spekenbrink also warned about organizations going their own ways.

"In this case the UCI has done the only right thing and stands by the rules created by a process that involved all stakeholders: teams, riders and race organizers. Improvements should always be possible but they cannot not be declared unilaterally by one group at the expense of another group."