Here’s How the Coronavirus Is Impacting Pro Cycling

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As coronavirus continues to spread around the globe, pro cycling is ever increasingly feeling its effects.

The Union Cycliste Internacionale (UCI) announced on April 15 that it has suspended the UCI International Road Calendar until July 1 and UCI WorldTour events until August 1. On May 5, the UCI released the revised schedule for the UCI WorldTour and UCI Women’s WorldTour.

“We have drawn up a solid, attractive and varied new calendar that is as realistic and coherent as possible,” UCI president David Lappartient said in a press release. “This has been achieved as early as was practicable and in line with information available today concerning the evolution of the pandemic. Riders, teams and organizers now have the dates they need to anticipate the resumption of racing on August 1. This is a very important step that the entire cycling community, financially impacted by the pandemic, has been waiting for to move forward. ... We will continue to move forward together towards the resumption of the season, nevertheless with the reminder that the health of riders and all concerned parties is still the overriding priority, and that the recommencement of our activities will remain dependent on the evolution of the world health situation.”

A handful of events were canceled at the request of the organizers. Additionally, among the highlights of the calendar is the announcement that women professional cyclists are finally getting their own Paris-Roubaix.

Here are the updates for some of the bigger races.

Tour of Hainan

Scheduled date: February 23 to March 1
Status: Canceled.

Part of UCI’s ProSeries, the Tour of Hainan was one of the first races to be postponed over coronavirus concerns. The decision was announced almost a month before the stage race was set to begin.

UAE Tour

Scheduled date: February 23 to 29
Status: Canceled.

The race in Abu Dhabi was canceled two days early following stage 5 on February 27, after two Italian staff members were diagnosed with the coronavirus. This prompted a quarantine for all teams staying at the Crown Plaza hotel. Those who tested negative were able to leave, except for the three teams (who shared the same floor as those who were diagnosed): Cofidis, Groupama-FDJ, and Gazprom.

Six additional coronavirus cases were then discovered on March 3, in relation to the race. Following that development, the three teams were informed by the UCI that they must remain in quarantine until March 14.

On March 7, the Cofidis and Groupama-FDJ teams were released from quarantine, leaving just a few cyclists left under lockdown in the UAE.

Strade Bianche

Scheduled date: March 7
Status: Rescheduled to start on August 1

Race organizer RCS Sport announced on March 5 that it is postponing the Strade Bianche and the Strade Bianche Women Elite, which were set to take place on March 7 in Siena, Italy. RCS Sport has asked the UCI to reschedule both the men’s and women’s races, but no new dates are currently set.

Paris-Nice

Scheduled date: March 8 to March 15
Status: Final stage canceled.

From AFP:

Paris-Nice has been cut short because of the coronavirus pandemic, with Sunday’s final leg scrapped, organizers said on Friday, March 13. The race will be decided after Saturday’s mountain stage with a summit finish at La Colmiane in the Alpes-Maritimes region.

“It is a logical decision given the large crowds who would be expected at the final stage,” said race director Christian Prudhomme.

The Bahrain team competing in the race announced earlier on Friday they were pulling out because of health concerns for their riders. Security measures had been stepped up for the event in an effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus, including keeping the public at a distance from riders during stage arrivals and departures.

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While the Fédération Française de Cyclisme announced on March 13 that all French cycling events are canceled until further notice, it is allowing Paris-Nice to finish.

Tirreno-Adriatico

Scheduled date: March 11 to 17
Status: Rescheduled for September 7-14

RCS Sport announced on March 6 that it will postpone the Tirreno-Adriatico. The WorldTour race takes place in central Italy. (Italy is a current coronavirus hotspot.)

Absa Cape Epic

Scheduled date: March 15 to 22
Status: Canceled

This mountain bike stage race is held in the Western Cape of South Africa.

“I have taken this step with a heavy heart, but the health and safety of everybody involved in the event has to be paramount. At 6 p.m. today we received the formal advice from government,” said race founder Kevin Vermaak.

Milano-Sanremo

Scheduled date: March 21
Status: Rescheduled for August 8

RCS Sport announced on March 6 that it will postpone the Milan-San Remo. Considered one of the five “Monuments” (the most prestigious, one-day races in road cycling), the WorldTour race takes place in northwest Italy.

Volta Ciclista a Catalunya

Scheduled date: March 23 to 29
Status: Canceled

This WorldTour stage race is held annually in Catalonia, Spain, and is the third-oldest stage race in the world. This year would have been the 100th edition of the race.

AG Driedaagse Brugge-De Panne

Scheduled date: March 25
Status: Rescheduled for October 21

The Royal Belgian Cycling League announced on March 13 that it is postponing all cycling races in Belgium.

E3 BinckBank Classic

Scheduled date: March 27
Status: Canceled

The Royal Belgian Cycling League announced on March 13 that it is postponing all cycling races in Belgium.

Gent-Wevelgem

Scheduled date: March 29
Status: Rescheduled for October 11

The Royal Belgian Cycling League announced on March 13 that it is postponing all cycling races in Belgium.

Giro di Sicilia

Scheduled date: April 1 to 4
Status: Canceled

RCS Sport also announced on March 6 that it will postpone the Giro di Sicilia. The race, which is on the UCI’s Continental Circuits calendar, takes place in Sicily, Italy.

Giro d’Italia

Scheduled: May 9 to May 31
Status: Rescheduled for October 3-25

RCS Sport announced on March 13 that the Italian grand tour has been postponed. The three opening stages, set to take place in Hungary, were canceled earlier in the day after Hungary declared a state of emergency from the COVID-19 pandemic. Race organizers expect to set a new date by April 3.

Tour de Suisse

Scheduled: June 7 - 14
Status: Canceled

“It was with a heavy heart that we have made this decision due to the Corona pandemic. We are however convinced that it is the best solution to provide certainty and thus planning security for participants, fans and partners. For the Tour de Suisse, it is also an important step to ensure the continuation of this event in the future,” Olivier Senn, Co-Managing Director of the Tour de Suisse organization, said in a statement. “We would like to thank all sponsors, host cities, suppliers and our staff for their extraordinary support and solidarity.”

Tour de France

Scheduled: June 27 - July 19
Status: Rescheduled for August 29 - September 20

In mid-April, French President Emmanuel Macron canceled all public events with crowds through mid-July—and the Tour de France had no excuse but to postpone. Currently scheduled to start on August 29, the Tour will likely need to reconsider that start, as well, when the French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced that France is now banning large sports gatherings until at least September.

Other Events Affected

USA Cycling Collegiate BMX National Championship

Scheduled date: April 4 and 5
Status: Postponed

Announced by USA Cycling on March 12, the championships were set to be held in Redmond, Oregon. USA Cycling is looking to reschedule. The rest of the national championship calendar will currently continue as planned.

Sea Otter Classic

Scheduled date (new): October 1 to 4
Status: Rescheduled

This combination industry trade show, festival, and race series for professional and amateur cyclists alike takes place outside Monterrey, California. It draws a large international attendance and was originally scheduled for mid-April.

North American Handmade Bicycle Show

Scheduled date (new): August 21 to 23
Status: Rescheduled

Known as NAHBS, this international showcase for framebuilders was originally slated for mid-March in Dallas, Texas. Don Walker, the president and founder of NAHBS, stated, “My primary priority is to protect the health and safety of our amazing community and feel postponing the show is in our best interest.”

Bentonville Bike Fest

Scheduled date (new): August 7 to 9
Status: Rescheduled

This festival takes place in the ever-growing mountain bike mecca of Bentonville, Arkansas, the same week at the Bentonville Film Festival. It was originally scheduled for the first week of May.