02 April 2020

Cycling chiefs extend season's suspension until June as concerns grow about Tour de France

Cycling's governing body the UCI has announced the season's suspension has been extended until June 1.

And the further postponement has led many to fear for the Tour de France, which is due to get underway on June 27.

The first Grand Tour of the year - the Giro d'Italia - has already been postponed from its usual start date of May (PA Images)

But in a statement the UCI insisted it is attempting to come up with a calendar for the second half of the season which protects the biggest races of the year.

The statement read: "Following the meeting, given the severity of the health situation throughout the world, the UCI and its stakeholders unanimously decided to prolong the suspension of cycling competitions until 1 June 2020, and until further notice.

"The UCI also decided that this extension would apply to all cycling disciplines and all categories of riders.

"Confirming the principle of a prolongation of the men’s and women’s road season, announced on 18 March, the UCI does not exclude the possibility of pushing back the end of the season depending on the date racing resumes, when this is known."

"In its role of governing body of our sport, the UCI is working on a framework for the future UCI International Road Calendar, based on its exchanges with the stakeholders and giving priority to the three Grands Tours and cycling’s Monuments. The result of this internal work will be communicated when the conditions are right."

Earlier this week, last year's winner of the Tour de France Egan Bernal revealed he has returned home to Colombia and has stopped training during the country's lockdown.

The best videos delivered daily

Watch the stories that matter, right from your inbox