March 11/20 7:16 am - UCI Confirms Lousa World Cup Postponed

Posted by Editor on 03/11/20
 

This morning at 8:30 am European time, the UCI confirmed that the first round of the 2020 Mountain Bike World Cup, in Lousa, Portugal, that was scheduled to take place this weekend (March 21-22) would be postponed due to the COVID-19 epidemic. As we reported yesterday, the local mayor had included it in a list of events that it was recommended not take place, and Portuguese authorities were instituting restrictions on large gatherings of people. The next two rounds of the World Cup are scheduled to take place in early May.

The text of the UCI statement:

Due to the current pneumonia epidemic (Covid-19) linked to the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which has also affected Portugal in recent days, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) must announce that the opening round of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup which was to take place at Louzanpark in Lousã on 21 and 22 March will not take place on the scheduled dates.

The UCI fully supports the decision taken by the Lousã local authorities and the Montanha Clube to reschedule the event based on the instructions made on 10 March by the Portuguese public health authorities. In light of the current situation, the running of the event would have potentially presented a health risk to riders, to everyone involved in the event and to fans, and could have contributed to the spread of Covid-19.

The new date of the event will be announced by the UCI after consultation with the organising committee and the country’s health authorities, taking into account the overall calendar of the series and depending on the evolution of the spread of the coronavirus worldwide and in Portugal.

The UCI would like to thank the city of Lousã and the Montanha Clube for their cooperation in this difficult situation, as well as the riders, teams and all parties involved for their understanding.