European road cycling championships in Nice cancelled due to terror threat

The European road cycling championships, due to take place in Nice over September 14-18, have been cancelled due to the recent terror incident in the French city.

Mayor Philippe Pradal made the announcement that the event was cancelled on Friday. The Union Européenne de Cyclisme (UEC), organiser of the event, subsequently confirmed the cancellation of the event in Nice but that they would seek to find an alternative venue as soon as possible.

France is still on high alert of possible terrorist strikes after a lorry attack in Nice in July that killed 85 people.

"Following the press conference organised at the end of the afternoon by the city of Nice, the Union Européenne de Cyclisme acknowledges the city of Nice’s position regarding the cancellation of all the sports and cultural events on its territory including the Road European Cycling Championships, which were scheduled to take place from 14 to 18 September 2016," said a UEC statement.

"This decision is justified on the grounds of safety as this event required a huge security presence which cannot be guaranteed in view of the significant constraints. We would like to assure you that the UEC is already looking for an alternative venue on the dates already scheduled.

"The UEC would like to express its full solidarity with the city of Nice at this difficult time as well as with the victims’ families."

Security was stepped up at this year's Tour de France after recent terrorist activity in the country. 23,000 police officers, including elite forces, were drafted in to provide security for the event.

In March, the organiser of the Dwars door Vlaanderen elected to continue with the event in the wake of terrorist attacks in Brussels in the preceding week.