Despite informing about the new ranking system at a very short notice and reportedly not having discussed changes with professional teams, the UCI turns down rumours suggesting that it won't be put in place in 2015.

"The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has been working in recent seasons with its stakeholders on a renewed, more inclusive and clearer ranking system that covers the broader cycling calendar. The 2015 season will see this new points system put in place," the UCI press officer Louis Chenaille explained procycling.no.

"The UCI will spend 2015 gathering the opinions, comments and observations of all its stakeholders concerning the rankings and points scales in order, over the year, to evaluate the new system and to consider any necessary improvements or adjustments for 2016."