Just as the ASO and UCI announced plans to host the Tour de France in late August and September, with the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España to follow, the Belgian Security Council announced Wednesday that all sporting events, large public gatherings, and major summer festivals until August 31 announced that all sporting events, large public gatherings, and major summer festivals would be canceled until August 31.

This move goes against the UCI's designated dates of August 22-23 for the national championships. The Belgian championships were to be held in Anzegem, but Mayor Gino Devogelaere told Het Nieuwsblad (opens in new tab) that he would not allow the race to take place that weekend.

"We don't have the personnel to hold it, and I can't imagine holding the Mass in August. I think we should postpone everything for a year," Devogerer said.

"They decided on this without consulting me," he said of the dates set by the UCI. Even if the race were to take place, Devogerer said, 75% of the sponsors have already pulled out. 'Everyone says they're going to invest their money in their own companies, not in the race. I understand that.

"We had 3,000 VIPs and that covered all the expenses. But without the VIPs, there would be no race, and without the VIPs, who's going to pay for it? As mayor, I will not allow the crowds that day."

"We have to look at a race of thousands of people before we take serious action today. If there is an outbreak after that, people will see me. No, no, no, no championships in August. We're going to negotiate with the union and postpone everything for a year. We think it's best for everyone. Tim Merlier has to wear the jersey for an extra year. No one has seen that jersey yet."

The suspension of sporting events until August will also affect races such as GP Cerami, Baloise Belgian Tour, Tour de Wallonie, GP Stade Zottegem, Druyvenkoers-Overlice, GP Jeff Scheerens, and Brussels Cycling Classic. When racing resumes in September, pre-World Cup races will follow: Campioenschap van Vlaanderen, Primus Classic, Guichse Pile, Omloop van het Houtland Middelkerke Lichtelvelde, and the Tour de France. be crushed by the schedule change.