'Paris-Nice may be one of the last races for the time being,' says Trek-Segafredo DS
The developing coronavirus situation has already seen the cancellation of many sporting events across the continent
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Trek-Segafredo sports director Steven de Jongh says he fears Paris-Nice may be one of the last races for a while as Europe's coronavirus outbreak appears to become more serious by the day.
Italy currently has the worst outbreak outside China, with over 7,000 confirmed cases and 366 deaths at the time of writing, with one expert warning the UK has only a "few days" (opens in new tab) to implement measures to avoid a similar situation.
The outbreak in Italy has seen the cancellation of Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico and Milan - San Remo, draining March's racing calendar, as teams dropped out in order to safeguard their riders and staff as well as limit any potential harm to public health.
Paris-Nice has been allowed to continue, although during the second day organisers said the remaining stages would be raced "behind closed doors" as they banned the public from start and finish lines.
>>> Astana riders and staff have not been paid since start of 2020, Vinokourov confirms
Sports director De Jongh has now said he thinks Paris-Nice may be the last high-level race for a while, as the coronavirus looks to be getting more serious by the day. The international aspect of cycling poses a significant risk that authorities are unlikely to permit and teams won't want to get caught up in any situations such as the quarantine of the UAE Tour.
"I am happy that [Paris-Nice] is continuing and that we are racing here," De Jongh told ANP. "It is perhaps one of the last races for the time being. We can see from China and Italy how long it takes before the contamination figures no longer increase.
"As long as they say it is safe for the wider public, we see no need not to race. But I fear that could all change in a matter of days," the sports director said.
Fears surround the upcoming Giro d'Italia, with race director Mauro Vegni worried about the damage that cancelling such an event would do to the country.
"Canceling the Giro d'Italia would create a very complex situation not only for cycling or sport but for the whole country. I don't even want to think about such an eventuality. The damages would be truly immense," Vegni told Sporza.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. 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.
-
-
Bikes of the Atlas Mountain Race 2023: from comfort gravellers to speed weapons, here’s what caught our eye
Covering 1,300km / 800mi of Morocco’s gravel roads and mountain passes, the Atlas Mountain Race demands a tech-heavy approach for its 3+ days of bikepacking racing
By Stefan Abram • Published
-
British champion Cameron Mason hoping for rain at Cyclo-cross World Championships
British national champion says patience will be the key in what’s expected to be a fast race in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
All the 2023 kits: EF Education-EasyPost share latest collaboration with Rapha
American WorldTour team become latest to release their new 2023 kit, here's the rest
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Van Vleuten confirms her superiority with Ceratizit Challenge GC victory
Elisa Balsamo takes the final stage bunch kick on the Madrid circuit after consummate work from Trek-Segafredo
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Trek-Segafredo win the Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta team time trial
Elisa Longo Borghini led the American squad home and will take the leader's red jersey into the remaining four stages
By Owen Rogers • Last updated
-
Fred Wright ‘gutted’ but still smiling after second place on Tour de France stage 13
Londoner missed out to classics specialist Mads Pedersen
By Vern Pitt • Last updated
-
No Covid positives at Tour de France after testing, 165 riders head into second week
All riders return negative covid tests done on Sunday evening
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I just come out at every race swinging': Simon Clarke achieves childhood dream with Tour de France stage win after winter of contract fears
Australian was without a team coming into the season
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
World champion Balsamo takes her second stage at the Giro Donne
The race’s third sprint finish saw the same three women contest for honours in Reggio Emilia
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Balsamo: 'For every Italian rider it is a dream to wear the pink jersey'
Excellent team work brings the jersey home for Trek-Segafredo’s Italian world champion
By Owen Rogers • Published