The Japan Cycling Federation (JCF) announced that the All-Japan Championships for elite women and under-23 women will not be held on Saturday as scheduled due to safety concerns regarding the participation of team cars in the race.

According to a press release posted on the federation's website, the federation tried to impose a special rule prohibiting teams from driving their cars after the race because of the narrow and winding roads on the course at Central Forest Park in Hiroshima. Athletes would receive support from a neutral party.

"After investigating past accidents at this race venue and considering the course and road width, we have established a special rule that will not allow team cars to drive at this venue from the 2021 event," the JCF announced.

However, one of the women challenged the special rule, claiming that the All-Japan Championships were held under UCI rules and that UCI rules allowed up to one team car. On June 18, the arbitrator ruled in the athlete's favor, requiring that the race be run without the special rule prohibiting team cars.

"The organizers of the event decided that removing this special rule allowing one team car per team would seriously jeopardize the safety of the race. In order to prioritize the safety of riders, spectators, and other concerned parties, the Japan Cycling Federation has decided not to hold the race related to the above arbitration decision."

The same course will be used for the 2021 All-Japan Championships, and the JCF stated, "Overall, the course is narrow, with many winding sections and poor downhill visibility. In terms of competition operations, we recognize that the course has a high potential for danger to athletes if a large number of vehicles, including four-wheeled vehicles, are allowed on the course."

"We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the postponement of the event less than a week before the start of the competition, and apologize to the scheduled competitors and all parties involved," the JCF announcement said.

The Under 23 and Elite Men's races will take place as scheduled without team vehicles.