The Amstel Gold Race, set for October 10 on the UCI's revised 2020 World Tour calendar, may still be up in the air after Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed doubts about holding a major sporting event before a vaccine against the coronavirus that has killed over 5,000 Dutch citizens with COVID-19 becomes available. The event may still be in limbo as he expressed doubts about holding the event before a vaccine against the coronavirus that has killed more than 5,000 Dutch citizens with COVID-19 is available.

The Bink Bank Tour was scheduled to run from September 29 to October 3, but cancelled its start in the Dutch town of Dockum in the Noordwest Friesland.

Rutte was specifically asked at Friday's daily press briefing whether the Amstel Gold Race would be allowed to take place; according to 1Limburg.nl, Rutte replied, "I cannot say that now."

Most countries are cautiously relaxing closure regulations that have slowed the spread of the virus, which became a pandemic in March. In the Netherlands, some businesses, including salons, physical therapists, nutritionists, and alternative health care workers, will be allowed to reopen on Monday, May 11, as well as some schools, child care facilities, and some sports activities.

Restaurants, movie theaters, and other entertainment venues could reopen in June with reduced capacity, and non-contact sports such as golf and tennis could resume.

However, large sporting events, even with reduced or no attendance, will be permitted starting September 1, provided that the spread of the virus is under control. Prime Minister Rutte expressed doubts about professional cycling events, which are difficult to physically distance themselves from.

"I have no idea. The only thing I am sure of is the easing next Monday," Rutte said. 'But the large group of licensed (cycling) events, I'm not very happy about it right now. Encouraging cyclists could become a super-spreader if we are not careful. I hope that in the coming weeks we will have more clarity on how the virus is spreading."

Hugo de Jonge, the new Minister of Health, sent a letter to the Dutch Parliament saying that until an effective vaccine against the coronavirus is available, no large-scale events should take place.

"We cannot yet give a date for a large gathering, which is the last step (of resumption). That will only be possible when the vaccine is ready, and who knows how long it will take. Of course we hope soon, but more than a year is realistic," de Jonge said.

Leo van Fleet, director of the Amstel Gold Race, remains optimistic about the future of the race. We'll see what we have to do organizationally, but for me a glass half full is enough," van Fleet said. Everything is in place at the moment. We are a small organization, very flexible, and we can accomplish big things. We have proven that in the last few years."