Here are all the 2021 races cancelled because of coronavirus so far
As the global pandemic rumbles on, bike races continue to fall by the wayside
As the coronavirus pandemic enters its second year, populations are still in some form of lockdown and life isn't likely to return to normal for a while.
Bike races have, of course, not escaped these trying times, and just as the 2020 calendar was decimated by Covid-19, a number of 2021 events have also been called off or postponed.
While these are all of the rules to stick to while enjoying some winter riding of your own, for fans of watching other people ride their bikes really fast, here's what you need to know about the early season professional calendar.
Australian races such as the Tour Down Under were among the first to get the chop, due to their January slot and the southern hemisphere country's strict quarantine rules.
>>> Cycling during lockdown: What are the new rules?
Argentina's Vuelta a San Juan was also called off, as were Asian offerings such as the Tour de Langkawi, Saudi Tour, and the Tour of Oman. The top level UAE Tour is still slated to go ahead as expected, however, at the end of February.
A few European races have also already been called off as the continent continues to grapple with the pandemic, including the Vuelta a Ciclista a la Región de Murcia and Ronde van Drenthe, while the Challenge Mallorca and Volta ao Algarve have been moved to later in the year.
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There was also confusion surrounding Eschborn Frankfurt, with reports coming out that it had been cancelled, before race organisers clarified they had only scrapped the under 23 race.
We will keep these lists updated as the year progresses, but hopefully there won't be too many races to add.
Cancelled 2021 races
Women's Tour Down Under (Australia), Jan 14-17
La Tropicale Amissa Bongo (Gabon), January 18-24
Tour Down Under (Australia), Jan 19-24
Vuelta a San Juan (Argentina), Jan 24-31
Race Torquay (Australia), Jan 28
Women's Race Torquay (Australia), Jan 28
Women's Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (Australia), January 30
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (Australia), January 31
Tour de Langkawi (Malaysia) January 30-February 6
Saudi Tour (Saudi Arabia) February 2-6
Herald Sun Tour (Australia), February 3-7
Dubai Women's Tour (UAE) 5-8
Tour Colombia (Colombia), February 9-14
Tour of Oman (Oman), February 9-14
Tour of Antalya (Turkey), February 11-14
Vuelta a Ciclista a la Región de Murcia (Spain), February 12-13
Ronde van Drenthe (Netherlands), March 13
Circuit Cycliste Sarthe (France), April 6-9
Tour de Yorkshire (UK), April 29-May 3
Women's Tour de Yorkshire April 30-May 1
Ronde van Zeeland (Netherlands), May 6
Tour de Normandie (France), May 22-28
Colorado Classic (USA), August 26
Postponed 2021 races
Tour du Rwanda (Rwanda), will now take place May 2-9
Volta ao Algarve (Portugal), will now take place May 5-9
Challenge Mallorca (Spain), will now take place May 13-24
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Jonny was Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor until 2022.
I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
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