“The right decision” – GB Cycling Team boss on postponement of Olympics; Campagnolo suspends all activities including e-commerce; Matteo Trentin suggests 3-in-1 Grand Tour; Beefeater Bend relaxes ‘Links Rechts’ regs + more

Italian bike components brand Campagnolo says it has been forced to temporarily suspend all activities, including fulfilling e-commerce orders, until 6th April.

In a statement mailed to customers, the brand said: 

We are very sad to communicate that, following the Ministerial Decree of 22/03/2020 regarding the prevention of the COVID-19 infection, we are forced to stop all activities from Thursday March 26th until Monday April 6th (unless new provisions [come into effect]).

Within this period of time we won't be able to deliver your e-commerce orders.

All orders received within 11.59 pm Tuesday March 24th will be processed and delivered straight away.

Orders received after this time and date will be processed and delivered starting from Monday April 6th.

It’s a tough moment here in Italy as everywhere in the world, let’s all fight together to come back riding all together soon!

Have you been to Quiz Corner yet? Come this way!

You've got eight minutes to name every top-10 TDF finisher from 2010-2019. So we've started you off with a tricky one.

How will you get on? Let us know in the comments section.

"I'm going out"
• boring
• obvious
• might be illegal now?

"I'm going outside for my state approved singular daily walk"
• Mysterious
• Kinda Soviet
• Good for public health

— George (@georgeattherock) March 23, 2020

Well, I’m just back from my state-approved exercise for today, though I chose the bike over walking. It’s incredibly surreal. I was out for an hour and twenty, covering 40kms on roads that are usually moderately busy with cars. Today I was passed by a total of six (6) cars. It was bliss.

Obviously, the current situation is incredibly sh*t but it has shown what happens when people use cars less. While I saw very few cars, there were copious numbers of people out in their gardens. Some were gardening, some were tapping away on laptops or on the phone.

Hopefully, when we all get back to normal, we don’t go back to normal.

LC

Following on from Brian Cookson's suggestion that the Grand Tours be shortened to two weeks (see further down the page), how about this from Matteo Trentin?

It would be a bit of a challenge, what with the races having different organisers and sponsors and so on (plus the fact that we don't yet know when racing will actually return) but we rather like this idea.

Why not organize only one GT this year? Start in Rome , passing through Madrid , finish in Paris. All the best on the start and a great way to reunite all the people with a bike race after this horrible time! #3GTn1

— Matteo Trentin (@MATTEOTRENTIN) March 24, 2020

Greg Van Avermaet agrees with postponing the games – and, as 2016 Olympic road race champion, he’s also found a silver lining…

“It’s obviously disappointing to see the Olympic Games postponed as they were a big goal for me this year,” said the Belgian.

“But I completely support the decision as it is clear at a time like this that health and safety are the biggest priority and it wouldn’t have been possible to safely stage an event like the Olympic Games with thousands of people coming from all over the world.

“I think postponing the Games was the only possible option as we face so many uncertainties in the coming months and it would not have provided a fair playing field with everyone’s preparation and training put on hold right now. Even the selection process for teams would have been impossible.

“Of course, the postponement means I will be another year older which isn’t ideal but I know I will be as motivated as ever next year. It is an honour to be the Olympic Champion and now I will enjoy some more time wearing the gold bands on my CCC Team jersey and of course, I hope I can wear them beyond 2021 as well.”

BIG news and it’s the right call. #Tokyo2020 postponed. Of course we have bigger things to worry about right now, but on a sporting side, there’s going to be a few nations thankful for 12months more preparation! https://t.co/cQ5ZK4Ee8w

— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) March 24, 2020

Be interesting to know how many viewers they get for this.

Over the next weeks, the UCI will be bringing you a series of flashbacks to past UCI World Championships.

They’re kicking things off with 52-minute highlights from the 2007 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Palma de Mallorca.

📺Introducing the UCI Watchback Series

🕐Tune in on Facebook UCI from 18:00 CET today to watch a recap of the 2007 UCI Track Cycling World Championships! 🌈

Tune in here🔗https://t.co/Or645uaxwY#CyclingUnited pic.twitter.com/Y1DYA0FQzd

— UCI (@UCI_cycling) March 24, 2020

#Tokyo2020 has been postponed, welcome #Tokyo2021

The right decision has been made. Tokyo 2021 presents an amazing opportunity to host a full games celebrating the world (hopefully) entering the "post pandemic" phase.

— Callum Skinner (@CallumSkinner) March 24, 2020

Cyclists who were down to compete in Tokyo this summer and losing fitness by the day will be breathing a sigh of relief, as it's now been officially announced that the games has been moved to 2021. The English-language PM's Office for Japan Twitter account just tweeted: 

"After his telephone talks with IOC President Bach, PM Abe spoke to the press and explained that the two have agreed that the Tokyo Olympic Games would not be cancelled, and the games will be held by the summer of 2021."

More comments and reaction from the cycling world as we get it. 

Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group, which includes Sports Direct and Evans Cycles, wrote to staff immediately after the lockdown was announced yesterday, claiming that selling sporting and fitness equipment made the company a vital asset and saying that shops should remain open.

They’ve since done an about-turn after being criticised by basically everybody.

HOWEVER…

The Evans Cycles online business remains open and it seems they’ve raised the price of their turbo trainers…

… SIGNIFICANTLY…

The Wahoo KICKR, which is £999 everywhere including the Wahoo website, is now £1,150 at Evans.

The Saris H3 is up from £849.99 to £976.

The Tacx Neo 2T is up for £1,199 to £1,379.

It’s the same story for dozens of others.

Turbo trainer sales are skyrocketing at the minute. More here.

"Cycling UK urges people to distinguish between essential and non-essential shopping trips. This is not the moment to go out and browse for a nice new bike," said Cycling UK Policy Director, Roger Geffen.

"However it’s another matter if you’re getting that neglected bike out of the shed so you can make essential journeys without relying on public transport or a lift in someone else’s car and you therefore need to get a replacement tyre or inner tube, or to get the bike repaired by a professional mechanic.

"It is for this reason we think the Government is to be applauded for keeping bike shops open. Cycling is a great way not only to make that one bout of exercise each day, but also to make those essential journeys.

"Just remember when visiting the bicycle shop to follow public health social distancing and hygiene advice."

Tour de France organisers ASO are reportedly still insisting there will be no postponement.

(Like many others, we’re willing to stoop to suggesting that widespread travel restrictions could greatly increase the odds of a first French winner in however-many-years.)

Former UCI president Brian Cookson went with a double ‘very’ in saying that he would be “very very surprised” if that happened.

He suggests a two-week Tour in late July or August, a two-week Giro in September and a two-week Vuelta in October.

He says the five Monuments could be slotted into intermediate weekends.

He accepts that there’s a lot that would have to happen for this to be possible.

1. ASO are at present apparently saying the Tour could take place on the planned dates but without start villages, publicity caravan, etc. I’ll be very very surprised if that happens, given the situation in France at the moment. But if things do improve sufficiently then...

— Brian Cookson OBE (@BrianCooksonOBE) March 23, 2020

2. here are my suggestions. Perhaps if the Olympics are delayed to October or even postponed to 2021, that would give more space in the calendar for a shortened TdF to take place, maybe late July or August. A two week TdF would then leave room for a delayed 2 week Giro in...

— Brian Cookson OBE (@BrianCooksonOBE) March 23, 2020

3. September and a similar 2 week Vuelta in October. Postponed lesser Spring Classics could take place in the midweeks, maybe even at the same time as the Grand Tours, with postponed Monuments (M-SR, L-B-L, RVV, P-R) slotting into intermediate weekends. But it all depends on....

— Brian Cookson OBE (@BrianCooksonOBE) March 23, 2020

4. a major improvement in the health situation in France, Italy and Spain. Which there is no sign of just yet. If not, the whole season could well be lost. Apologies if these Tweets don’t all read together. Just a quick cut and paste of a few thoughts.

— Brian Cookson OBE (@BrianCooksonOBE) March 23, 2020

Which isn't to say that they will.

The government advice actually lists bike shops twice in its list of exemptions.

Full story here.