Plague Update: Sunweb, Astana, CCC, and UAE Team Emirates join the fallen

Let it be known that the Cyclry editorial staff are available to ride, and win by default, any of these upcoming races.

Team Sunweb Statement

Team Sunweb has decided to withdraw both their Men’s and Women’s programs from the upcoming Italian races; Tirreno Adriatico, Milano Sanremo and Trofeo Alfredo Binda. Both the UCI and the race organiser have been made aware of the decision.

The team makes this decision in light of the exceptional circumstances surrounding COVID-19. We acknowledge our responsibility to the areas in which we would travel, and the immense pressure that the Italian authorities are currently under in what is a fast-evolving, incredibly difficult situation. We have a duty of care to our riders and staff and to the wider communities in which we compete. This situation goes beyond cycling, and with this decision we as a team want to minimise any impact that we may put on these communities through potential illness.

UAE Team Emirates Statement

Given the global health emergency situation, and in line with the recent decision to implement a voluntary quarantine for the team involved in the UAE Tour, the Emirati team will suspend the competitive activity for Paris-Nice, Tirreno-Adriatico and Milano Sanremo races.

 At the end of this period, depending on the current situation, a return to competition will be assessed.

Team Astana Statment

For a period of 15 days, Astana Pro Team will withdraw from races due to the COVID-19 virus. Starting from today, the team won’t participate in any competition until March 20th. This decision has been made after careful consideration of the team’s management and its doctors.

“With this measurement, we have chosen to protect the health of our riders and staff and to take our responsibility for the society in not further spreading the virus. Of course, we would have preferred to participate in all upcoming races, but for now, it’s safety first. We still have a long season ahead with many other important races. It was not an easy decision, but we have to protect the cycling family as well as our own families at home”, says General Manager Alexandr Vinokurov.

Because of this decision, Astana Pro Team won’t participate in the following races: Strade Bianche, Paris-Nice, and Tirreno-Adriatico. 

CCC Statement

Following the official cancellation of Strade Bianche, CCC Team has made the decision to withdraw from Paris-Nice and Tirreno – Adriatico in the interest of protecting the health and safety of riders and staff, and the general public, and to avoid the risks of exposure, transmission, and quarantine posed at stage races.

“Cycling is a unique sport with teams traveling from town to town on a daily basis at stage races, staying in different hotels every night, and coming into contact with the general public in a largely uncontrolled environment. The health of riders, staff, and the general public is the priority and with many unknowns around what protocols can viably be put in place at stage races, we believe our withdrawal is the right decision.”

“At this point in the season, instances of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI) and fever are high and it is inevitable that riders and staff will fall ill during the races. Without a detailed quarantine plan, and rapid testing protocol and delivery of results, teams are actively putting riders and staff at risk of exposure, transmission, and quarantine. We also need to think about the risk of quarantine for our riders and staff when they return to their home countries from these races. For these reasons, we have decided to withdraw from Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico.”

CCC Team Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Max Testa

“It was not a simple decision to withdraw from Paris-Nice, or Tirreno-Adriatico, which we expect to be officially cancelled in the wake of the cancellation of Strade Bianche. We are acting in the best interests of our riders and staff, and taking responsibly to reduce the risk of transmission at these stage races. The situation with COVID-19 is changing rapidly and we will continue to monitor the evolving situation and adjust our race calendar accordingly. We wish to express our ongoing support for both the ASO and RCS, however, we stand disappointed with the lack of direction by the UCI at this critical moment in the sport as all men’s and women’s teams have been left to fend for themselves.”

CCC Team President, Jim Ochowicz