What Is 2017 UCI Women's World Tour

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 UCI Women's World Tour was the second edition of cycling's premier women's road racing series, featuring 22 events across 10 countries from February to October 2017. Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team won the team classification, and Chantal Blaak claimed the individual title.

Key Facts

The 2017 UCI Women's World Tour included 22 events across 10 countries.
The season ran from February 18 to October 21, 2017.
Chantal Blaak of the Netherlands won the individual classification with 1,286 points.
Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team secured the team title with 2,974 points.
The Tour of Flanders was the highest-scoring single race with 120 points for the winner.

Overview

The 2017 UCI Women's World Tour marked the second full season of professional women's road cycling under the Union Cycliste Internationale's elite global series. It expanded upon the inaugural 2016 season by maintaining a structured calendar of top-tier races, aiming to elevate visibility and professionalism in women's cycling.

With events spanning four continents, the tour aimed to create a cohesive competitive structure, rewarding consistency across one-day classics and stage races. The series was designed to mirror the men's WorldTour, offering ranking points, prize money, and greater media exposure.

22 official events were included in the 2017 calendar, up from 21 in 2016, reflecting growing interest and participation.
Races took place in 10 countries, including Belgium, Italy, the United States, and Qatar, demonstrating the sport's international reach.
The season kicked off with the Strade Bianche on February 18, the first women’s edition of the race, which became a marquee event.
Chantal Blaak secured the individual title after strong performances, including a win at the Tour of Flanders and a second-place finish at Amstel Gold Race.
Boels-Dolmans dominated the team competition, winning six races and finishing in the top three in 15 of the 22 events.

How It Works

The UCI Women's World Tour operates on a points-based ranking system that rewards riders and teams based on race results across the season. Points are allocated according to race category and finishing position, incentivizing top teams to compete consistently.

Points System: Riders earn points based on finishing position, with 200 points awarded to the winner of a World Tour one-day race and 120 points for a stage race stage win.
Team Classification: The team title is determined by summing the points of the top three riders from each team at every event, emphasizing depth and consistency.
Race Categories: Events are classified as either one-day races or stage races, with different point distributions; one-day races offer more points for top finishers.
Eligibility: Only UCI-registered women’s teams can score points, and each race must meet minimum organizational and safety standards to be included.
Season Duration: The 2017 season spanned eight months, beginning in February and concluding in October with the Tour of Guangxi.
Prize Money: For the first time, UCI mandated minimum prize money for World Tour events, with $12,000 for one-day races and $25,000 for stage races.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2017 UCI Women's World Tour with the 2016 edition and the men's WorldTour:

Category	2016 Women's Tour	2017 Women's Tour	2017 Men's WorldTour
Number of Events	21	22	37
Season Length	February–October	February–October	January–October
Top Points Scorer	Lizzie Deignan (1,588)	Chantal Blaak (1,286)	Tom Dumoulin (1,455)
Top Team	Boels-Dolmans (2,595)	Boels-Dolmans (2,974)	Team Sky (5,874)
Prize Money (per race)	$8,000–$15,000	$12,000–$25,000	$25,000–$100,000

The data shows gradual progress in women’s cycling, though disparities with the men’s tour remain significant in terms of event count and financial investment. The 2017 season, however, marked a key step in professionalization, with improved standards and broader participation.

Why It Matters

The 2017 UCI Women's World Tour played a crucial role in advancing gender equity in professional cycling. By standardizing events, increasing prize money, and boosting media coverage, it helped legitimize women's racing on a global scale.

The tour raised the profile of female athletes, with live broadcasts of races like the Tour of Flanders reaching over 500,000 viewers.
It encouraged national federations to invest in women’s programs, with 12 countries adding development squads by 2018.
Sponsorship interest grew, as brands like Boels and Dolmans extended multi-year commitments to women’s teams.
The inclusion of races in Qatar and China expanded cycling’s reach into new markets and demographics.
It set a precedent for future seasons, with the UCI adding two more events in 2018 to further strengthen the calendar.
Chantal Blaak’s success inspired a new generation, particularly in the Netherlands, where youth participation rose by 17% in 2018.

Overall, the 2017 season was a milestone in the evolution of women’s professional cycling, laying the groundwork for greater competitiveness and visibility in years to come.