Italian races like Tour of the Alps, Milano-Torino, and the Giro di Sicilia are part of a 16 event series called the Ciclismo Cup. For years, the overall winner of the year-long Ciclismo Cup series has earned an invitation to the Giro d'Italia.

To second tier Italian pro teams like Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec and Bardiani-CSF, this invite to the Giro has meant "life or death." The Ciclismo Cup has offered smaller teams a guaranteed opportunity to participate in Italy's grand tour, and has been critical to securing sponsors year after year.

Now, with a UCI reform that brings the number of WorldTour teams up from 18 to 20, the number of wildcard spots at grand tours available to smaller teams will be reduced from four to two. And there is no confirmed agreement between the promoter of the Giro d'Italia, RCS, and the Ciclismo Cup series in which pro continental Italian teams compete. 

Will the UCI reforms bring an end to the Ciclismo Cup? We asked racers and team managers at the Tour of the Alps.