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The organisers of the Volta ao Algarve have said the race cannot go ahead on its set dates of February 17th to 21st, with a date in May now hoped for but far from certain.
It is the first major European stage race to change its
plans this year due to Covid-19. The move follows races like Vuelta a San Juan
in Argentina and Tour Down Under in Australia not being open to European pros
this year because of the pandemic.
Challenge Mallorca, a series of one-day races, was also postponed
this year due to Covid-19. However, other early season Spanish stage races –
including Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana from February 3rd to 7th – are still scheduled
in their original dates, for now.
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“The Portuguese Cycling Federation, organiser of Volta ao
Algarve, today informed all partners and teams that the race will not be able
to take place on the scheduled date, 17 to 21 February,” the race organisation
said in a statement.
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“Postponement is a difficult decision, but it has become
inevitable, given the evolution of the pandemic situation in Portugal.
“The organization of Volta ao Algarve is aware that
legitimate expectations were created for an excellent sports event, however the
general context of the country imposes a postponement that signals the
commitment of the Portuguese Cycling Federation to the defense of public health
and motivation to offer fans a high quality race at another time of the year.
Efforts were immediately made to carry out the 47th Volta
ao Algarve next spring. The new scheduled date is the period from 5 to 9 May,
although the re-calendar depends on the consensus with the teams and with the
partners involved in the event, and must also be accepted by the International
Cycling Union, as it is a race of the UCI ProSeries Circuit.”
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