Tour de France might not show in 2016 UCI calendar

The Tour de France could be withdrawn from 2016 UCI calendar as the Tour owner Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) is reportedly understood to be worried about the lack of progress in governing body UCI"s reform program.

A source close to the UCI management committee has claimed that ASO has sent a letter to the organisation saying that they would withdraw from the 2016 calendar if the reform does not go forward, with their major concern centered about ensuring that major race dates do not clash.

The UCI said in response that they have been working for many months on reforms, adding that there was a general consensus on the direction towards which the reform should be driven, the BBC reported.

They also said they are hopeful of finalising soon their discussions with all stakeholders, whether races organisers, teams, riders, around a project that would restore the credibility in the sport.

UCI wants to make a proposal wherein less number of teams should contest in the top flight, so as to avoid race clashes and a big race every weekend from the next year.