
With dozens of local teams riding ProAm in the National Road Series, having only 4 teams able to race UCI events limited the opportunities to showcase talent.

2017 saw one of the lowest number of licenses given to Australian teams, with only 4 teams receiving one.

Since the introduction of the Continental Circuit in 2005, no more than 7 Australian teams (in 2015 there were 6 CTs and 1 PCTs) have held a Continental or Pro Continental License in the same year. Without a license, teams couldn’t compete in races unless individual riders make up a national team. These local teams also were required to hold a continental racing license to ride events up to Hors Categorie, and a pro continental racing license to ride Pro Tour events (on invite). This reform introduced the Pro Tour (now the World Tour), and 5 continental series’ around the world where PRO teams could compete against local teams. The continential circuit was introduced in 2005 in sweeping reforms across the UCI. Source: Twitter cycling is witnessing a continental revolution.

They both are riding in the World Tour this year, for Mitchelton-Scott and Team Sunweb respectively. Hamilton (front) and Hindley (behind) finished 2nd and 3rd at the Baby Giro last year, one of the most prestigious U23 races.
