UCI President David Lapartient admitted it would be "a disaster" if the Tour de France is not held in September as part of the new men's World Tour calendar announced Tuesday. [The Tour de France will run from August 29 to September 20, the Giro d'Italia from October 3 to 25, and the Vuelta a España from October 20 to November 8.

Most of the Classics will be held during the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España, so the dates of the major races will clash. The first race on the intense, condensed three-and-a-half-month calendar is the Strade Bianche on August 1, while the 2020 World Tour concludes on November 8.

La Partiente admitted that he was opposed to the race being held "behind closed doors" but conceded that it would definitely be "regulated" in some way to limit spectator numbers and protect the public and riders. The Criterium du Dauphiné will be held in France in August and is expected to be strictly "regulated."

The French seemed to recognize that the race could only be reinstated if the COVID-19 epidemic was controlled across Europe and the respective races were sanctioned by the government and local authorities.

"We are confident but cautious. Because, like everyone else, including the governments, I don't know what the situation will be in the next few weeks," he said Tuesday during a conference call with the media when asked about the possibility of the Tour de France taking place.

"I am confident that the situation will improve, but it won't, and there is a possibility that it could go back into a state of blockade and we will have to cancel some races. I believe that the Tour de France will be able to take place, but I don't say that I am 100% sure. It is not realistic from my side. I hope the Tour de France will take place this year.

La Partiente described the new August-November calendar as Plan B, and admitted that there is little chance of a Plan C since the Tour de France is further into the year.

"If the Tour de France cannot take place in September, we will be in a very, very difficult situation. "It's quite difficult to have the Tour de France at the end of the season. Let's hope plan B works out. The Tour de France accounts for nearly 50% of a team's visibility, and if you invest in cycling, the return is to be seen at the Tour de France. Without the Tour de France, it could be a disaster.

"If there is a 2020 season, it will be a big challenge for some teams, but if there is no 2020 season, it will be an even bigger challenge and we will lose more teams.

La Partiento justified the creation of a new World Tour calendar during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that canceling the entire season would be a catastrophe for the sport, teams would disband, and riders would face even bigger pay cuts He reiterated.

"We had two options: one was to call it quits for the season in March and move on to 2021, restarting with the Tour Down Under in January. But we think that would be a disaster for the sport, the organizers, the teams, and the employment of the players," LaPartiento said.

"We wanted to save everything we could. Also, the situation is changing every minute, and no one knows exactly what will happen in two or three months. A second wave may come, and if it does, there will be no cycling. We are well aware of this, but if we can come back with a great race, then our mission is to prepare for the second part of the season."