What Is The Effect Of The UCI's Team-size Cuts On Racing?

The rationale and impact of smaller squads

- James Shrubsall

You probably know by now that the UCI has agreed to cut team sizes from nine to eight in Grand Tours, and impose a maximum of seven for other international races. The official reason for doing this is rider safety, although some in the sport believe that it is at least partly to try and loosen Team Sky’s stranglehold on the Tour de France, while others point to more exciting racing as a key benefit. 

So much for the potential benefits. But after the dust has settled on this new-look peloton, what will the fallout look like?

Will a lot of riders lose their jobs?