Doubts around Tour de France for Colombian pros as country extends flying ban

The national federation says it will get special authorisation for Egan Bernal, Nairo Quintana and others to travel to Europe

Egan Bernal and Nairo Quintana on stage nine of the Tour de France 2019 (Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty Images)

(Image credit: AFP/Getty Images)

The Tour de France was thrown into doubt for Colombian pros as the government extended the ban on flying until September.

Superstar riders Egan Bernal, Nairo Quintana and Rigoberto Urán are among the pros who would be affected by the measures, as Colombian president Iván Duque announced that international flights would be banned until August 31.

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Alex Ballinger

Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.  Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.