Coronavirus Fears Cancel Races, Keep Teams Home

Astana Pro Cycling, Ag2R-La Mondiale and Team Ineos are the lastest teams to announce that they will refrain from race activities for most of the month of March, citing the truly international aspect of the sport and prudence when it comes to public health.

Ineos Mourns

Team Ineos’ position was further complicated by the death of Sporting Director Nicholas Portal earlier this week. Portal, just 40 years old, died of a heart attack on Tuesday. Portal joined Team Sky as a sporting director after issues with cardiac arrhythmia brought his career to an end in 2009. Portal was instrumental in Sky’s Tour de France successes with Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal.

“This is a uniquely sad moment for everyone at the Team, said Ineos team principal Sir Dave Brailsford. “We have lost someone we all loved very much and are all grieving for Nico. I would like to thank everyone for their messages following the tragic news yesterday. They have really meant a lot to us all as we try to come to terms with this terrible news. Nico meant the world to us as a Team and it is genuinely touching to know how much he also meant to everyone else across the sport.

“We are taking this decision to put a temporary pause on racing today because of this unique set of circumstances we are facing. It is right for the Team given what has happened but I also believe it is in the best interests of both cycling and the wider public.”

Astana Withdraws from racing until March 20

For a period of 15 days, Astana Pro Team will withdraw from races due to the COVID-19 virus. The decision came after careful consideration of the team’s management and its doctors.

“With this measurement, we have chosen to protect the health of our riders and staff and to take our responsibility for the society in not further spreading the virus. Of course, we would have preferred to participate in all upcoming races, but for now, it’s safety first. We still have a long season ahead with many other important races. It was not an easy decision, but we have to protect the cycling family as well as our own families at home”, says General Manager Alexandr Vinokurov.

Because of this decision, Astana Pro Team won’t participate in the following races: Strade Bianche, Paris-Nice, and Tirreno-Adriatico.

Tirreno-Adriatico & Milan-San Remo Out for Ag2r-La Mondiale

Following the cancellation of Strade Bianche, management of the AG2R LA MONDIALE team decided not to participate in the races organized in Tirreno-Adriatico (March 11-17) and Milan-San Remo (March 21) as a precaution to protect the health of their riders and members of the coaching staff.

“We are closely monitoring the coronavirus crisis, in close collaboration with Dr Eric Bouvat, the team’s head doctor, and we are attentive to the decisions being made by the health authorities. As the team manager, I cannot risk the health and integrity of our staff when the health situation is so unstable in Italy, and many legitimate questions have been raised within the team. Sporting interests should not overshadow prudence and wisdom when it comes to public health. We are very sorry for the organizers of these legendary races and we have informed them this morning of our decision,” Vincent Lavenu, general manager of the AG2R La Mondiale team, explained.

Ag2R will contest Paris-Nice.

Strade Bianchi Postponed

After meetings with local officials and verifying that there are no conditions for guaranteeing the provisions of the Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic (regarding public health and safety), Strade Bianchi organizers RCS Sport agreed with the appropriate authorities to cancel the Strade Bianche and Strade Bianche Women Elite.

RCS Sport will request the UCI, via the Italian Cycling Federation, to allocate a new date on the international cycling calendar for Strade Bianche and Strade Bianche Women Elite.

Mikel Landa withdraws from Paris-Nice

Team Bahrain McLaren’s Mikel Landa will not compete at this year’s Race to the Sun due to last month’s injury.

On 1st February, Landa suffered a cracked rib during an incident with a car while training. Officials from the medical team have determined the injury, although minor, will take some time to heal. Mikel, along with the team’s medical staff have therefore concluded a regular training plan is more beneficial to his annual goal than riding Paris-Nice.

Team Bahrain McLaren’s head doctor, Dr Carlo Guardascione said, “The persistence of stress pain caused by last month’s road accident requires Mikel to have a less physically demanding schedule over the next two weeks”.

2020 Sea Otter Rescheduled

April’s Sea Otter Classic has been effectively cancelled for April. While organizers say that they are working with local authorities to determine the best date to re-schedule the event, nothing has been sent. The cancellation also affects the Bicycle Leadership Conference.

Information regarding registration refunds and rollovers will be posted on their website once the new dates have been finalized.