UCI does what it has to do
The UCI has suspended all events and classification on their international calendar across all disciplines until at least April 3. The classification suspension is backdated to March 3 to preserve “sporting equity for all athletes”.
In a statement, the UCI President David Lappartient said: “The international situation linked to the coronavirus has accelerated sharply recently, especially in Europe, which has pushed the authorities to take drastic measures that have a major impact on our sport in particular.
“Faced with this unprecedented and changing situation, we must adapt and take necessary measures to guarantee, as far as possible, the security of people at our events as well as sporting equity. With the strong decisions taken concerning the UCI International Calendar and the Olympic qualification procedure, we are providing the awaited answers for people in our sport.
“The challenges we face in light of the current situation require all members of the cycling family and of the Olympic movement to be innovative, strong and united.”
The Olympics
Organisers of the Tokyo Olympics continue with the preparations and expect the event to go ahead as planned. However, the pros aren’t so sure.
“No one can say when the next race is,” Mathieu van der Poel told Het Nieuwsblad. “That makes it difficult. What are we still training for? Even the Olympic Games are no longer certain.”
What do you think? Should the Olympics take place? We guess we’ll see in the upcoming weeks.
The Tour
The coronavirus has already cancelled Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, and Milan – San Remo. RSC Sport postponed the Giro, which may eventually result in a cancellation as well. Paris-Roubaix will likely not take place. With the Tour fast approaching, what does it mean for the biggest cycling race in the world? Christian Prudhomme is optimistic.
“It is still more than a hundred days until the start of the Tour. The hunger for the race will be immense once activities are resumed.”
Let’s hope it all works out. Be safe.
