Cycling Professional Leagues: An Overview of KT, PKT and WT

Find out how cycling leagues are structured and get more information about the organization of professional cycling!

Von Lukas Vogt | 5 minutes read time

About the author Lukas Vogt

Lukas Vogt is an up-and-coming talent in cycling and combines his passion for cycling with his training as an e-commerce merchant. The 19-year-old has been passionate about cycling since 2022, although he initially felt comfortable with mountain biking. What started as an exciting hobby in the mountains quickly developed into a serious passion for steep climbs, technical trails and fast descents. From 2025, Lukas will take his career to the next level and compete for the MYVELO ProCycling Team. On this blog, he shares valuable insights, training tips and experiences - straight from the world of professional cycling.

Published: March 23, 2025 | Updated: March 24, 2025

In professional cycling, there are a variety of leagues that are divided according to the performance level and demands of the riders. The so-called KT, PKT and WT leagues are particularly important in road cycling. These leagues determine not only the status of a team, but also which races the riders can compete in and what challenges await them. But what do the abbreviations actually mean and what does it mean to ride in each of these leagues? In this article, we take a closer look at the different professional leagues in cycling: Continental Teams (KT), Pro Continental Teams (PKT) and WorldTour Teams (WT).

Continental Teams (KT): The entry into professional cycling

Continental teams, also known as UCI Continental Teams, form the lowest tier of professional cycling leagues. They provide a platform for riders who are still in the early years of their careers or who want to qualify for higher leagues.

Status and License: Continental teams are the premier league in international cycling and receive a UCI Continental License, which allows them to participate in races within their region. They primarily compete in national and international races (outside the World Tour), but smaller UCI Continental series are also part of their program.
Race calendar: Riders on a KT team can participate in a variety of UCI 1.2 and 1.1 races , as well as UCI Nations Cups and smaller tours. Major races like the Grand Tours (Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, Vuelta a España) are not yet accessible in this league.
Goal: The main focus of the Continental teams is to develop young riders and participate in regional and international races to gain the attention of larger teams. Many riders in this league aspire to advance to the Pro Continental Teams (PKT) or even the World Tour (WT).

Continental teams offer an important opportunity for professional development. They often serve as springboards for young talent and offer riders the chance to prove themselves in international competition.

Pro Continental Teams (PKT): The path to the world elite

Pro Continental Teams, also known as UCI Pro Continental Teams , represent the middle level of professional cycling. They already offer greater competitiveness and more visibility than the continental teams due to their access to larger and more prestigious races.

Status and License: Pro Continental teams receive a UCI Pro Continental License. They participate not only in smaller and regional races, but can also participate in major UCI tours not included in the World Tour calendar. They can compete in many of the major one-day races, such as Milan-San Remo or Paris-Roubaix.
Race calendar: Riders on PKT teams can compete in a wide range of races, including many UCI 1.HC and UCI 2.Pro races. They can also compete and prove themselves in Pro Tour races dominated by the biggest teams. Wildcard invitations to WorldTour races are also often possible if a team performs particularly well or a rider excels.
Goal: The primary goal of PKT teams is to develop riders who are not yet among the absolute world elite by international standards, but who nevertheless have the potential to ride on World Tour teams. These teams are often the starting point for cyclists who want to reach the sport's highest level.

PKT teams play an important role in the cycling ecosystem, serving as a link between the Continental and World Tour teams. They offer not only riders but also young teams the opportunity to develop at the highest level.

WorldTour teams (WT): The pinnacle of professional cycling

WorldTour (WT) teams are the undisputed elite of professional cycling. They consist of the best riders in the world and compete in the most prestigious WorldTour races, including the most famous Grand Tours and Classics. These teams are not only better funded but also enjoy an exceptional level of media attention.

Status and License: WorldTour teams hold the UCI WorldTour License , which guarantees them access to all the major races on the UCI WorldTour calendar. These include the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia, the Vuelta a España, as well as the major classics such as the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and many more.
Race calendar: A WorldTour team competes in the entire UCI WorldTour calendar, which includes approximately 30-35 races per year. These races are the most prestigious and important events on the cycling calendar, attracting the best riders and teams in the world.
Goal: WorldTour teams are geared toward success in the world's biggest races and, accordingly, have the best resources and support for their riders. The ultimate goal of these teams is to win overall classifications, dominate individual races, and delight sponsors and spectators worldwide.

Riders on WorldTour teams are among the best cyclists in the world and regularly compete for the highest honors. These teams have the largest budgets, the best technical support teams, and the most experienced coaches, making them the preferred choice for aspiring cycling stars.

The path from KT to PKT and WT

The career ladder in cycling isn't always straightforward, but the step from a Continental team (CT) to a Pro Continental team (PCT) and ultimately to the World Tour (WT) is the dream of many talented riders. Many of the most successful cyclists began their careers on a KT team and battled their way through regional races to secure a spot on the Pro Continental teams. Some have then established themselves as world-class riders and joined the coveted World Tour teams.

Some well-known riders who have taken this route include Tadej Pogačar, who, after his initial successes in UCI Continental races, eventually moved up to the WorldTour team UAE Team Emirates and continued his remarkable career there. The path from the lower leagues to the world's elite is long, but it's full of opportunities for riders with the necessary talent and hard work.

Conclusion: A clear structure for cycling

The structure of professional cycling leagues — KT , PKT , and WT — offers a clear hierarchy that provides guidance for both young talent and established professionals. While Continental teams form the foundation and develop the next generation of riders, Pro Continental teams offer more international experience and larger races. Finally, WorldTour teams are at the pinnacle of professional cycling, competing for glory on the biggest stages.

For ambitious cyclists, this system offers a clear career ladder, allowing them to continually improve and develop from a local star to a global star. No matter what level a rider competes at, each league presents its own challenges and opportunities to be seized. Every cyclist's dreams often depend on how quickly and effectively they manage to progress through these leagues.