Elia Viviani (Cofidis) admitted that training indoors on his home trainer has been a sobering experience, but he is adamantly opposed to competitions being resumed behind closed doors during a coronavirus pandemic.

Because of the Italian blockade, Viviani has not been able to train on the roads around his home in Udine since his return from Paris-Nice on March 13. Like many in the World Tour peloton, European champion Viviani is working to maintain his fitness with a home trainer.

"I don't know if anyone can stand it, it's already hard after one month and it's driving me crazy," Viviani told Leggo (opens in new tab).

"You are alone, in a small space. It's the complete opposite of racing and training in the open air. It's totally different to sweat and suffer on the rollers at home."

The Spring Classics, the Giro d'Italia, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have all been postponed due to the COVID-19 epidemic, and it is still unclear when or if professional racing will really resume this season.

Last week, the UCI suspended all competitions until June 1, with the Criterium du Dauphiné (May 31-June 7) postponed and the Tour de Suisse (June 7-14) cancelled altogether, though the suspension is likely to be extended further.

Meanwhile, Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme has downplayed the possibility that the race could be held behind closed doors if strict measures against public gatherings and travel continue into the summer.

Viviani expressed opposition to the race being held behind closed doors.

"I hope it doesn't happen, because cycling behind closed doors would be a big mistake.

"I am not just saying that for the fans. If they want to race behind closed doors, it's because that means the pandemic hasn't been completely eradicated. Then they should stay home."

The Olympics, Euro 2020, and Wimbledon are among the high-profile sporting events that have been postponed or cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the Tour de France, despite the strict measures currently in place in France against COVID-19 Despite this, the Tour de France remains on the calendar for the time being, despite the strict measures currently in place in France against COVID-19.

The IOC was criticized for waiting until recently to postpone the Tokyo Olympics, but Viviani said there were rational reasons behind the ASO's decision to delay the Tour.

A decision on the Tour would reportedly be made by May 15, and Le Parisien magazine suggested that the race could be postponed a month and held between July 25 and August 16.

"I understand that this doesn't come across very well, but it makes some sense, if not a popular choice," Viviani said of the ASO's decision delay.

"The Tour starts on June 27. They are waiting. It won't be an easy decision."