British Cycling halts all races and other cycling activities for very long period | Sticky Bottle

*British Cycling has now halted all racing until the end of April, a very significant break in activities, due to the coronavirus Covid-19*

British Cycling continued with road racing last weekend and some track events continued into this week despite the Covid-19 crisis.

However, it has now taken the decision to halt all races until
the end of next month, with April 30th set as the close of the current hiatus.

The British national governing body has also said the pause in activities may extend beyond that date. The activities cancelled include:

Competitive events at all levels
Non-competitive, registered events (eg sportives, reliability trials)
Recreational rides (throughout our suite of programmes including HSBC UK Breeze, HSBC UK Guided Rides, HSBC UK Ride Social, Let’s Ride Pop-up)
All educational courses or activities (eg coaching courses, Ride Leader courses, commissaire courses)

In Ireland, Cycling Ireland has halted all activities until March 29th, with social distancing and other measures having been in place longer in Ireland than in Britain.

However, it is unclear what difference that will make to the outbreak in the two countries and if racing and other cycling activities might resume in Ireland before Britain.

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British Cycling said the decision was based on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s “caution against unnecessary travel and contact with others”.

British Cycling chief executive Julie Harrington said it
was not a decision taken lightly and it is one the federation had taken in
close cooperation with Scottish Cycling and Welsh Cycling.

“We fully understand and appreciate the financial, social
and community impact that this suspension could have, and we are working now to
ensure that cycling is in the best possible health once the suspension can be
lifted,” she said.

“As I’m sure everyone can appreciate, these are truly
unprecedented circumstances, and while we will be doing all we can to retain a
sense of normality and continuity, it may take some time to return to full
capacity as an organisation and as a sport once this situation has been
resolved.

“We will continue to update our members with more
information, and will be doing everything within our power to support those who
have contributed to the rich cycling culture that this country boasts.”