The UCI has responded to the decision by the main race organizers ASO, RCS and Flanders Classics to unanimously reduce the team sizes in grand tours and the major classics. The international federation admits that discussions are ongoing but refuses that there will be any changes in 2017 as claimed by the organizers.

"Following recent statements, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) wishes to clarify the current position regarding team sizes. Whilst a potential reduction in team sizes may reflect a view held by some stakeholders, including some race organisers, any changes to the regulations governing men's professional road cycling must be agreed by the Professional Cycling Council (PCC), on which the race organisers are fully represented. This subject was discussed at the last PCC meeting in November 2016, and it was agreed to consider in detail the implications of such reduction over the coming months, with no change for 2017," the UCI writes in a short statement.

The proposed change concerns all races organized by ASO, RCS Sport and Flanders Classics which means that all the monuments and grand tours are among the races to be affected.