The Union Cycliste Internationale has suspended all classifications for all cycling events on its international calendar from March 15 until further notice, but at least until April 3, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This also affects qualifying events for the Tokyo Olympics later this year.
After emergency meetings late last week and at the weekend, the organisation announced a series of decisive measures aimed at ensuring the maximum protection of health.
In their official statement they said organisers were expressly requested to cancel any cycling event on the calendar in territories identified as at risk by the World Health Organisation.
Regarding the remaining qualification procedure for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, which is still ongoing for the mountain bike, BMX racing and freestyle, as well as para-cycling road disciplines, the UCI has asked relevant authorities that the period be stopped retroactively as of March 3 (no national until that date had been prevented from travelling to events).
They stated that, considering the uncertainty surrounding the spread of the virus, maintaining the qualification periods initially planned would have resulted in unfairness between nations.
Concerning requests for postponement of events, the UCI will communicate at a later stage the possible reallocation of new dates.
“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,” said UCI president David Lappartient.
“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.”
