Pressure from the inter-federal coordination cell, a consortium of Belgium's three cycling governing bodies, Belgian Cycling, Wallonie Bruxelles Cycling Federation, and Flanders Cycling Federation, forced a group of cycling enthusiasts to cancel plans to hold an informal cycling competition in Belgium The group of cyclists was forced to cancel its plans to organize an informal cycling competition in Belgium.

According to Het Nieuwsblad, the group calling itself "Gentsche Wielerterroristen" (Gent Cycling Terrorists) planned a 17 km time trial along the Shipdonk canal and the Vaart on May 1.

The group issued a statement on Instagram (opens in new tab) canceling the event, saying it was "overwhelmed by the negative comments" the "playful" event had provoked.

"We don't want to make a big deal out of it," Jules Hesters told Het Nieuwsblad (open in new tab) on behalf of the group. He intended to have fun, "in the spirit of Maxime Pillard, who ran a little over 1,000 kilometers across the Flanders border on April 4.

"Every day the riders race on the Strava app. So every training ride is timed. We wanted to compete against those times every day. But if it gets out of hand and if it makes people uncomfortable, then we prefer to discontinue it. If the coronavirus measures no longer apply, we can always regroup."

The organization also apologized for impersonating a poster for the Kuhne Brussels Kuhne.

In response to the controversy, Interfederal reminded athletes that all forms of bicycle racing are banned. This applies to any competition in which times are recorded."

On May 4, Belgium's National Security Council will make a decision on when sporting events will resume. The council had previously banned all competitions until September 1, but has yet to decide whether the events will take place "behind closed doors."

"What has already been determined is that all recreational groups will be banned until June 30, in parallel with the earlier decision on competitions. All other ongoing measures will also remain in effect until that date," the Interfederal Coordinating Cell announced.

"It is of utmost importance that clubs, riders and recreational cyclists continue to strictly follow the authorities' guidelines for excursions, individual training and club training so that the resumption of social life (social and economic) is not hampered or delayed."