While sporting fixtures will be a long way down the list of priorities for the people of Turkey of Syria after a mass-fatality devastating earthquake earlier today, some pro racing has been cancelled, with Irish riders caught up in that situation.
At the time of writing early on Monday afternoon the death toll of the early morning earthquake had been increased to at least 1,400 after the magnitude 7.8 quake struck in central Turkey and northwest Syria. It was followed by a 7.7 earthquake, which hit as rescue efforts were underway and our thoughts are of course with the victims and survivors.
The Tour of Antalya (2.1) was due to get underway on Thursday for four stages of action but has understandably been cancelled. Irish cyclocross champion and U23 road race champion, Dean Harvey, was due to make his UCI Continental debut for Trinity Racing at the event. Irish elite road race champion, Rory Townsend, was due to ride for his new ProContinental team, Bolton Equities Black Spoke.
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The earthquakes, which were also felt in Cyprus and Lebanon, are a devastating blow to the region and obviously the cancellation of bike racing in Turkey is of no consequence given the loss of life and very difficult conditions for survivors and rescue workers.
The Tour of Antalya organisers issued a statement confirming its race was cancelled after the earthquake centred in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş.
"The aftershocks of the earthquake, which was felt in many cities are unfortunately on going," the statement added. "After the earthquake, a state of emergency was declared in the country and it was determined as Level 4.
"We wish God's mercy to our citizens who lost their lives, condolences to their relatives, urgent healing to the injured and thank you for your understanding."
