| Eleventh edition of theUCI WorldTour | |
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 21 February – 9 October |
| Location |
|
| Races | 29 |
← 2020 2022 → | |
The2021 UCI World Tour was a series of races that included twenty-nineroad cycling events throughout the2021 cycling season.[1] The tour started with the opening stage of theUAE Tour on 21 February,[1] and concluded withIl Lombardia on 9 October.
The 2021 calendar was announced in the autumn of 2020.[1]
Due toCOVID-19-related logistical concerns raised by teams regarding travel to Australia (including strict quarantine requirements), theTour Down Under (19–24 January) and theCadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (31 January) were cancelled. The organisers of the Tour Down Under held a "domestic cycling festival" known as the Santos Festival of Cycling in its place, which featured races in various disciplines (including aNational Road Series event).[4][5] In June, theGrand Prix Cycliste de Québec (10 September) and theGrand Prix Cycliste de Montréal (12 September) were cancelled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic in Canada.[6] In August, theHamburg Cyclassics (15 August) and theTour of Guangxi (14–19 October) were cancelled at the request of their respective organisers, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]
In addition, and for reasons not entirely related to the pandemic, the organisers of theTour of California in the United States as well as those of thePrudential RideLondon–Surrey Classic in the United Kingdom did not request to register either of their respective events for the 2021 calendar.[8]
The nineteenWorldTeams were automatically invited to compete in events, withAlpecin–Fenix (the best performingUCI ProTeam in 2020) also receiving an automatic invitation. Other teams were invited by the organisers of each race.[9]
