Cycling’s governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the organizer of the cyclocross World Cup, Flanders Classics, has decide to eliminate rounds in Waterloo and Dublin for the 2020-2021 season.
Instead, the series will start with the Vlaamse Druivencross in Overijse, Belgium on November 1. This decision avoids a potential conflict with the ‘Super Sunday’ on October 25, when the men’s and women’s Paris-Roubaix will overlap with the final stage of the Giro d’Italia and stage 6 of the Vuelta a España.
“It seemed opportune for all parties to shift the start of the UCI Cyclocross World Cup to the beginning of November,” explained Tomas Van Den Spiegel, CEO of Flanders Classics.
“On the one hand, this is due to the shifting of the road racing season, which will be in full swing in October. On the other hand, there continue to be uncertainties in terms of future measures, both national and international, to keep the Covid-19 pandemic under control.”
“The UCI and ourselves are grateful to the organizers and the cities for their constructive and flexible attitude. We also hope that the financial effort we are making as regards the local organizers will help them make the necessary arrangements in these circumstances.”
The UCI gave organizers some relief by cutting licensing fees in half from what they would have normally paid in order to hold the races.
UCI President David Lappartient said, “I regret the absence of races such as Waterloo and Dublin, which we will happily see again the following season.
“After the road and mountain bike calendars for UCI events, a new and important part of the UCI international calendar is being created. It is an excellent signal for the athletes and all the participants in our events. As is the case for all the new dates, the resumption remains subject to the health situation in the countries hosting the competitions.”
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