In cyclocross, there is a UCI rule in place to ensure that the elite men’s field has huge strength in depth, giving the top riders from each nation a set goal to aim for. Unfortunately there is no such rule for the women. Applying the same selection rule (UCI rule 9.2.045) to both men and women would allow more of the top 50 ranked riders to compete in the world championship, ensuring that the elite women's field has huge strength in depth and giving the top riders from each nation a set goal to aim for.

For more details, please see Helen Wyman's January 16, 2013 Op-Ed on VeloNews at http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/01/news/cyclocross/op-ed-simple-changes-needed-now-for-womens-louisville-worlds-field_271659