Coronavirus Effect on Racing

Round up of what the governing bodies responses are to the Coronavirus and the cancellation of cycle races

Coronavirus Effect on Racing

Round up of what the governing bodies responses are to the Coronavirus and the cancellation of cycle races

TLI Cycling
TLI Cycling has suspended all competitive events with immediate effect (March 17). This decision will be reviewed in two months’ time, at which point, depending on national circumstances, it will either be lifted or extended. I’m afraid that an extension looks more likely at this point in time.

Cycling Time Trials (CTT)
Cycling Time Trials (CTT) has taken the decision to suspend all CTT events, (this includes all Type A and Type B events), with immediate effect up to and including Sunday 31 May 2020. The decision will be subject to continued review and has been taken in the interests of organisers, competitors, all those who volunteer their time to make the events “work”, supporters and in the interests of the time trialling community as a whole. CTT will continue to review and monitor government advice and will provide detailed updates in the coming weeks.

British Cycling
(March 17) British Cycling has suspended all of its sanctioned, cycling activities, initially until April 30. This includes (but is not limited to):
– Competitive events at all levels
– Non-competitive, registered events (eg sportives, reliability trials)
– Recreational rides (throughout our suite of programmes including HSBC UK Breeze, HSBC UK Guided Rides, HSBC UK Ride Social, Let’s Ride Pop-up)

BMCR (LVRC)
17th March: BMCR is mandating the cancellation of all events with immediate effect for an initial 6 week period. This decision will be reviewed daily and in line with UK Government guidelines. It is likely however that this will remain in place for weeks rather than days.

UCI
There will be no events on the UCI International Road Calendar at least until the end of April. The UCI also says the men and women’s road season may be extended until 1 November 2020.

EVENTS

Lincoln GP (postponed)
The planned new schedule will be as follows:
Bike Night – 15th August
Lincoln GP Sportive – 15th August
Newells Michaelgate Hill Dash – 15th August
Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix presented by MinebeaMitsumi – 16th August

Otley GP, Tour of the Reservoir – yet to hear whether these are cancelled or postponed.
Also:

British Road Champs (cancelled or postponed)
Given the ongoing uncertainty around the Coronavirus/COVID19 outbreak, and the developing Government advice and guidance, British Cycling has taken the decision to extend its current suspension on sanctioned cycling activities to 30 June which includes the period the championships were due to be held.

While the dates for national road championships are stipulated by the UCI and are consistent across all northern hemisphere nations, British Cycling say they can assure riders, teams and fans that they will explore all possibilities in terms of delivering a national road championships, in line with Government advice and in the interests of rider and official wellbeing.

Colne GP in July Off: Due to the covid-19 pandemic Colne Town Council have cancelled all of their events until 31st July. This unfortunately means the CDPP will not be running the Colne GP with the council this year.

Cicle Classic
The 16th edition of the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic, set to take place on Sunday 26th April, is cancelled. No alternative date later in the year will be sought for the 16th edition of the race which is now planned to take place in April 2021. The cancellation does not currently extend to the associated Women’s and Junior Men’s editions of the race planned to take place on Sunday 5th July, which will be subject to review in the light of developments.

Lancaster Grand Prix 14th June 2020
The organising committee have today taken the decision to cancel the Lancaster Grand Prix Cycle Race for 2020. Although we are still almost three months away from the planned date of 14 June, we have been advised by the Lancashire Constabulary and our local authority partners that they will not be in a position to support the event logistically. We therefore have no option but to cancel.

2020 Tour de Yorkshire and Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women’s Race
The sixth edition of the annual cycle race was scheduled to take place between 30th April and 3rd May 2020 but the developing situation with regards to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) means continuing with the event as planned simply became untenable. Welcome to Yorkshire, ASO and British Cycling are working with the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) to find alternative dates in the international cycling calendar for the race to take place.

Tour Series:
Organisers of the Tour Series have postponed the 2020 edition of the domestic cycle race series which was due to held in May 2020. The decision to delay the series until later in 2020 has been taken with the best interests of competitors, officials, staff and spectators in mind following discussions with event stakeholders and partners, in order to provide certainty to the many parties involved in the planning and organisation of the events, including local authorities, police and health services in the venues.

Women’s Tour
Organisers of the Women’s Tour have postponed the seventh edition scheduled to take place between Monday 8 – Saturday 13 June. Organisers hope to work with the UCI and British Cycling to find an alternative date in the international cycling calendar for the race to take place should conditions permit.

Curlew Cup/Beaumont Trophy
Following advice from both the Government and British Cycling and against the backdrop of the developing Coronavirus pandemic, the decision has been taken to postpone the Cyclone Festival of Cycling originally scheduled for 26-28 June 2020. This affects the two national series events, The Curlew Cup and The Beaumont Trophy

Initially, the organisers will be looking for opportunities to re-schedule the Festival for later in the year.