Belgian public broadcaster RTBF has released its provisional calendar for the post-COVID-19 men's pro cycling season, which begins with Strade Bianche on August 1.

Despite the continuing global coronavirus crisis and the risk of a second peak in a few months, pro cycling hopes to return in late summer and fall, with teams and organizers ready to race until late November.

We already know that the Tour de France is scheduled for August 29-September 20, but the dates of the other two Grand Tours, the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España, have not yet been confirmed, although it has been suggested that they could be held in October and November, respectively There are no confirmed dates.

According to the tentative calendar, the Giro d'Italia will start on the first weekend in October and the Vuelta on November 1. Several classic races will be held around the same time, and if races are allowed in some countries, the new calendar will kick off.

According to the RTBF, the season will resume with the one-day classic, Strade Bianche, on Saturday, August 1, followed a week later by Milan - San Remo on August 8.

As already known, the UCI Road World Championships will keep its original dates of September 20-27, with the first day coinciding with the last day of the Tour de France, and the three Ardennes Classics (Flèche Wallonne, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, and Amstel Gold ) will be held on September 30, October 4, and October 10, respectively.

And at the same time as the Giro d'Italia, Ghent-Wevelgem will be held on October 11, the Tour of Flanders on October 18, and Paris-Roubaix on October 25. The classic season will then conclude with Il Lombardia on October 31.

But Giovanni Bozzi, director of sporting events for the province of Liège, said, "Nothing is certain. [Bozzi told RTBF.be about Liège-Bastogne-Liège, "But if I could really choose, I would choose early October.

"At that time of year, the tram construction in Liège would not be affected and the weather would not be as bad as in November.

"We also have to consider the October Fair in the city center, but there are alternatives," he said, adding that the RTBF would like the race to finish on Boulevard d'Avroy, where the second stage of the 2017 Tour de France ended, with Etixx-Quick Step's He suggested that the race could be moved to the Mativa docks, where Marcel Kittel won the race.

August 1: Strade Bianche

August 8: Milan-San Remo

Second week of August: Criterium du Dauphiné (4 days)

August 22-23: National Championships

August 29-September 20: Tour de France

September 20-27: UCI Road World Championships

September 30: Fleche Wallonne

October 4: Liège - Bastogne - Liège

October 3-25: Giro d'Italia

October 10: Amstel Gold Race

October 11: Ghent-Wevelgem

October 18: Tour of Flanders

October 25: Paris-Roubaix

October 31: Il Lombardia

From November 1: Vuelta a España [51]