At its latest meeting, the UCI Management Committee approved reforms to the Cyclo-Cross World Cup prior to the start of the new season in October.

A total of 14 World Cup events will be held in 2020-2021, an increase from nine, as part of reforms to the circuit.

A maximum of half of the competitions will take place in Belgium, with the others to be hosted by nations "that are active on the international scene or committed to developing cyclo-cross in their country".

The first season under the new format will open in Waterloo in the United States on October 4 and will include stops in Ireland, the Czech Republic, The Netherlands, France and Switzerland.

Belgium will stage seven legs on the revamped circuit.

The Cyclo-Cross World Cup will be organised by Belgian company Flanders Classics, granted the general organisation rights, marketing and sponsoring rights and distribution of television rights by the UCI last year.

In a statement, the UCI said the reforms to the Cyclo-Cross World Cup will allow the global governing body to increase its investment "to assist National Federations in fielding teams of young riders in the rounds of the series".

The UCI Management Committee also gave the green light to the creation of professional cyclo-cross teams, who will be able to participate in road events from January 2021.

"The objective of the change is to both facilitate the participation of cyclo-cross specialists and their teams in road events and to afford more visibility to the sponsors investing in these teams," the UCI said.