The UCI has extended its suspension of racing until 1 May due to the coronavirus pandemic, following consultation with representatives of teams, professional cyclists and race organisers.
The decision, announced today, will apply across all cycling disciplines and all categories of riders.
World cycling’s governing body said that the end of the road racing season could be pushed back until November, and that if it is possible to resume racing priority will be given to making space on the calendar for the three Grand Tours and five Monuments.
It has also been confirmed today that key Tour de France warm-up race, the Critérium du Dauphiné, due to have been held from 31 May to 7 June, has been postponed indefinitely.
Well I have finished ...I have just completed the slowest @giroditalia time trial in cycling history...16.5km in 3 hours 6 minutes around my garden ...thank you to everyone who watched and donated....you can still donate to @masksforNHS at https://t.co/hHvCTDEPu9. Ruby X pic.twitter.com/Q9ivWWh3Ej
— Ruby Isaac (@RubyWIsaac) April 1, 2020
Ruby - who is known for performing tricks and multitasking while riding the rollers including juggling, hair brushing and skipping - has ridden a whole 16.5km on a micro course in her back garden to raise vital funds to buy protective masks for the NHS. Taking three hours and averaging a speed of 5.3km/h, Ruby admitted this was without a doubt "the slowest Giro d'Italia time trial in history".
If you want to donate to get vital Personal Protective Equipment to NHS staff, you can do so here.
The latest briefing is now going ahead - will even greater restrictions be put in place that could even mean our once daily outdoor exercise is stopped for the time being?
👓 Las gafas también son seguridad estos días. Todo @Movistar_Team y @ride100percent colaboramos con @vallhebron para donar a los sanitarios del centro gafas protectoras -incluidas 'tipo máscara'-. Todo, para proteger a quienes nos protegen. #SeguimosConectadospic.twitter.com/NXhbnXpigi
— alejandro valverde (@alejanvalverde) April 1, 2020
Shown here on former world champ Alejandro Valverde, the glasses are being donated in partnership with Vall d’Hebron Hospital Campus in Barcelona.
Chris Boardman - Most under-rated guy on Twitter.
Always clear.
Always fair.
Always evidence based.
Never emotive.
Never argumentative.
Impossible to disagree with his contributions.
Above all, he cares. Genuinely.— Matthew Hartley (@MJH525) April 1, 2020
In case you couldn't tell, we're big fans here at road.cc. Scroll down the page to read about his latest act of kindness.
Fancy a ride with the one and only @MarkCavendish?
Join the first series of the #RideAsOne group rides from @BahrainMcLaren on @GoZwift! 🙌 The champion will be leading the ride while talking with his fans and streaming it all live on Instagram!
Sign up, the ride is tomorrow! https://t.co/OOww6hiqdk— Elite Cycling (@Elite_cycling) April 1, 2020
Cav will also be answering fan's questions and streaming it all live via Instagram, taking place tomorrow at 4pm. Usually you'd have to bunk off work early to make it but now it's just a case of popping into the garage...
The YouTube personality is currently live-streaming an attempt to virtually ascend Mount Everest. He's been going for over 7 hours 30 minutes at the time of writing, and has climbed over 7,000m of Everest's 8,848m official elevation.
Jeffers previously hit the headlines back in October when he was stripped of his British Cycling eRacing title, fined and banned because the bike he rode in the final had only been earned through simulated efforts. Jeffers accepted that using software to get access to the bike was “unethical and unsporting” but said his physical performance in the final was still superior to those he beat. He's now un-banned and back competing on Zwift once more.
Hi David, since you’re on The Wirral, I’ve got one you can borrow. Send me a DM
— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) April 1, 2020
Facing a long trip to work and back and doing a 12 hour shift, David Agnew-White asked Twitter if anyone could lend him an e-bike to do his 26 mile round journey - and Manchester's cycling and walking commissioner stepped in. Chapeau Mr Boardman.
When you know you should train but you don’t want to pic.twitter.com/KI2isynEWv
— Hannah 😈 🚲 (@theeyecollector) March 31, 2020
...so it's now time to reveal that the April 1st news round-up below is, unfortunately, all a load of codswallop. Enjoy the rest of your day!
Leading the way is the news that the Tour de France is to be held on Zwift - our reporter Liam Cahill got this scoop, with organisers saying that the event will be live streamed with daily weigh-ins and height measurements taken; meanwhile, mortals have instead took up virtual bikepacking.
Velo Kicks announced via their Instagram that they've teamed up with Crocs, inviting us to "slip on and clip on" with a BOA-dialled version of the flip flop everyone loves to hate.
Ribble have launched the Fam Dem, a tandem for all the family. They say of the new contraption: "Thanks to its aero credentials, its no slouch either! An aerodynamically-designed seating arrangement places the adults at the front and rear, whilst the mid-section is reserved for the kids. Inspired by the way that whales swim with their young, tucked into their slipstream, and the way kangaroos aerodynamically shield their babies in their pouches, you'll get all the benefit of the extra pairs of legs, with none of the drag."
Bikemonger have launched an innovative range of Bikepacking equipment, including these stunning lightweight waterproof panniers (£270), Co Op-inspired waterproof overshoes (£64) and a 'gilet noir' (£107), ideal for keeping you dry and then using for disposing of rubbish later in the day.
Parcours have launched indoor-specific wheels, built for the demands of the turbo and weighing 500 virtual grams. Founder Dov Tate says: “We have already seen various cycling brands launching their own indoor training-specific products, so we simply thought, why don’t we? For too long, the turbo has been where old wheels go to die, so it’s time we applied our aero know-how to really help virtual riders maximise their aerodynamics whilst still stationary.”
@theroyalparks
Hi, just wondering why cycling is not allowed in Richmond Park? Read on your site about congestion at the gates but if we enter when the gates aren’t busy surely we should be able to keep to the empty roads?— Larissa (@LariWestSide) April 1, 2020
Oh well, Richmond Park has banned cycling “to protect public safety” as I just discovered (totally missed the announcements last week). Pity. pic.twitter.com/q3hqYoVOvY
— Alex Terrell (@alxterrell) March 31, 2020
Dozens of unauthorised cyclists are still being stopped by police in Richmond Park. The signage is very clear. Some have travelled from the other side of London. This may be exercise, but this is not essential travel. Please exercise close to where you live. #cycle#royalparkspic.twitter.com/2HJtHZIsfh
— Royal Parks Police (@MPSRoyal_Parks) March 31, 2020
The Royal Parks decided to ban cycling outright after reports of cyclists not adhering to social distancing rules; and last night they reported that some "had travelled from the other side of London" to ride in the park, urging people to exercise close to where they live.
After the ban was announced on Friday numerous cyclists expressed their opposition, claiming that reports of cyclists flouting the ban was exaggerated. There is also confusion about the interpretation of the rules by police, with nothing specifically stating that exercise 'has' to be close to home, and that the policy from The Royal Parks could instead force people who live in the area to exercise in even more cramped spaces.
There's still no good epidemiological evidence for stopping cycling in the park. And very good public health reasons for allowing it. Hope @theroyalparks, @matbono, and @MPSRoyal_Parks will actually sit down and make this work, rather than continuing with pointless ban.
— miroirdufou (@miroirdufou) March 31, 2020
You're right that cycling has been suspended in the Park due to car-free exercise being too popular but Reg 6 does not require people to exercise close to home (or exercise only once, or only in one form, etc). Please could you correct this? Thank you.https://t.co/Hk1YxVjLIL
— The Dynaslow 🚴♂️🐈👨👩👧 (@TheDynaslow) April 1, 2020
Police have also come in for criticism for enforcing guidelines from the government rather than enforcing the law, with Lord Sumption calling the actions of Derbyshire Police "disgraceful after they used drones to 'catch' walkers using the Peak District. The body representing senior police officers in the UK has now clarified that enforcement of government rules regarding restrictions on movement during the coronavirus pandemic should only be undertaken as “a last resort.”