Cancel all group rides; Poll: How is social distancing affecting your riding?; French Open tennis shows cycling how to cancel events; TdF T-Rex; Wiggo asks why Paris-Nice went ahead; Arnie on his bike; Hazmat cycling; Audax events suspended + more

Grand Slam tennis tournament Roland Garros - better known outside its home country as the French Open - has been postponed until the autumn, its owners displaying a decisiveness in rescheduling the event, due to have been held in Paris from 24 May to 7 June, that has been lacking among the organisers of some of cycling's biggest races who seemed determined to press ahead until government lockdowns made it impossible to continue racing.

Face à la pandémie de coronavirus et l'arrêt des travaux depuis mardi midi, la FFT a reporté le tournoi de Roland-Garros du 20 septembre au 4 octobre https://t.co/3L4magB6xcpic.twitter.com/6yMqyz68BQ

— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) March 17, 2020

The French Tennis Federation has said that the two-week tennis tournament will now start on 20 September, and admittedly there are other reasons behind the decision to announce the postponement early, with construction works now halted at the Roland Garros stadium complex in the French capital's swishy 16th arrondisement.

But from a cycling point of view, one of the striking features of the evolving coronavirus crisis in Europe is that bike race organisers - and above all, the two biggest in the business, Tour de France owners ASO and Giro d'Italia organisers RCS Sport - have not been proactive in seeking to reschedule events.

It took a walkout from a number of leading teams, and emergency measures implemented by the Italian government, for the latter to decide, reluctantly, that this month's three big races, Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, and Milan-San Remo, could not go ahead.

Similarly, with President Macron announcing yet more restrictions on movement of people and holding large events just last night, it seems astonishing that it was only this afternoon that ASO decided that next month's major French races - Paris-Roubaix, the Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege - should not be held.

Commercial considerations play a part in that, doubtless - while not the money spinners in terms of media ownership rights that their respective three-week Grand Tours are, with the UCI unable to guarantee that the races can be held later in the season, both ASO and RCS Sport stand to take a hit to their bottom line this year.

ASO have said La Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege are off too.

Technically, they're postponed rather than cancelled at this stage.

⚠ POSTPONEMENT OF THE 2020 PARIS-ROUBAIX ⚠

As part of the fight against the spread of Coronavirus (COVID19), Amaury Sport Organisation, with the agreement of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), has decided to not organise Paris-Roubaix (12th April) on its scheduled date. pic.twitter.com/LRMhYRXwvB

— Paris-Roubaix (@Paris_Roubaix) March 17, 2020

In the absence of Milan-Sanremo, Garmin Edge and Tacx have got together to off a virtual version of the last 57km on the day the race would have taken place (Saturday March 21).

You’ll need Garmin Edge bike computer (such as the Edge 520, Edge 530, Edge 820, Edge 830, Edge 1000 or Edge 1030) and a smart trainer.

Tacx Desktop App users can import the track onto their platform and ride in front of their screen (on computer, tablet or smartphone).

The stretch in question, from Alassio to Sanremo, includes the route’s most famous climbs – the ‘Tre Capi’, the Cipressa and the Poggio – before arriving at Via Roma in Sanremo.

You can find registration and a tutorial here.

Sorry, we haven’t found an English version of the page.

Time trialling first came about because racing was banned on British roads.

With group riding off the menu and time trials cancelled, technology means people still have an option.

You can race Strava segments while maintaining considerable (temporal) distance from other people.

In a statement, Cycling UK said: “As the national cycling charity, Cycling UK’s aim is to support the UK’s population to cycle. This stays true during this period of Covid-19 affecting the UK. Above all, the safety and welfare of Cycling UK’s staff, volunteers, participants at our rides and events, beneficiaries of our cycling programmes and the general public is always our main priority.

“Therefore, Cycling UK is now advising the cancellation of all group rides and activities following the latest Government advice and is urging everyone to follow best practice to minimise risk.

“Cycling UK are constantly monitoring the situation and taking advice from the Government, health sector and partners.”

They say this means that people should not take part in club runs or any group activity until further notice.

However, a spokesperson added that, “people should not avoid cycling altogether as it remains a great way to keep fit and active and is a good way to boost immunity.”

Speaking on his Eurosport podcast, Sir Bradley Wiggins said: "[Coronavirus crisis] has escalated every day, and it has got to a point where they cancelled the last stage [of Paris-Nice].

“It did seem odd that, with everything going, and the crisis in Italy, and the outpouring of love for Italy, we were going very close to there in Nice with a massive bike race almost celebrating that, when it was getting quite serious all around us.

"There is no toilet roll anymore, no paracetamol, and this massive bike race is going on."

Speaking about what the suspension of the racing season means for riders, he said: "If something like the Tour de France – God forbid – was to go at the expense of this virus, then for someone like Mark Cavendish – who’s the only one I’ve spoken to – it would be a great shame considering the amount of work he’s put in.

"This is their livelihoods. We keep saying it's only sport, but, for these guys: the financial implications for the sponsors and the teams, this could be devastating for them."

Please fill us in on the finer detail in the comments below.

It doesn't really need saying, but this kind of measure isn't necessary.

Outside, alone, there's no real risk of virus transmission.

 

 

 

 

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When you have to do your workout no matter what’s the situation😁💪 ❓Can you still go outside because of the virus❓ FOLLOW @cyclingcrazies FOLLOW @cyclingcrazies Credit: dm . . . #cyclingcrazies #tourdefrance #tourdefrance2019 #viraltriathlon #cycling #cyclinglife #cyclingphotos #bike #roadbike #bicycle #cycle #cyclingshots #cyclist #roadcycling #cyclocross #bikelife #biking #bikeride #instacycling #bicycles #pista #triathlon #cyclingshots #roadbike

A post shared by Crazy Cycling Videos (@cyclingcrazies) on Mar 15, 2020 at 1:33am PDT

Arnie’s getting out and about.

“I just had a fantastic workout at the house, in my home gym,” he says. “Now I’m out on a bike ride because it’s the only thing you can still do outside the house with no social contact.

“Doctors recommend it’s the only thing you should do. Don’t get out of the house if you’re past 65, other than going for a walk or a bike ride or something like that.”

He says he won’t be stopping.

Doctors say that riding my bike outside is OK so it’s the only way I’m leaving the house, but if you do ride your bike or go for a walk, don’t stop, avoid social contact. Apologies to everyone but I won’t be stopping on my rides for selfies. Stay positive, stay safe. pic.twitter.com/WAb4h57VAZ

— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) March 16, 2020

Predictably enough, the majority of replies seem to be about him not wearing a helmet.

The criticism was led by Alyssa Milano, who looks to have been fielding rebuttals ever since.

Helmet! Where’s your helmet, fake dad from commando?

— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) March 16, 2020