ASO, organizers of the Criterium du Dauphiné, announced Wednesday that the race has been postponed due to health warnings from the Covid 19 pandemic. The announcement came shortly after the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) decided to extend the suspension of all road races until June 1 in order to salvage the race calendar for the second half of the season.

"As part of the fight against the spread of Covid-19, the International Cycling Union, together with all parties involved, has taken the decision to extend the suspension of cycling until June 1, 2020, and until further notice," a press statement from the ASO reads.

The Criterium du Dauphiné was scheduled to run from May 31 to June 7, but the ASO said it agreed with the UCI's decision to postpone the race until May due to the coronavirus.

"The organizers of the Criterium du Dauphiné have agreed with the UCI, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and other interested parties to begin work to reschedule the race, which was originally scheduled to start in Clermont-Ferrand on May 31 and run through June 7 The decision was made to begin work to reschedule the race, which was originally scheduled to start on May 31 and run through June 7.

"The organizers would like to thank the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and all race partners for their understanding and support in determining a new date for Clermont-Ferrand, one of the greatest races on the international cycling calendar.

The Criterium du Dauphiné has historically been considered a prelude to the Tour de France. However, the ASO has reportedly set May 15 as the deadline for a final decision on whether this summer's French Grand Tour will take place as scheduled or be postponed.

French Youth and Sports Minister Roxana Marassineanu told French media last week that this year's Tour de France could be held behind closed doors without fans.

The UCI had initially announced that all races would be canceled until the end of April, but has extended that date to June 1, and continues to provide updates on its website on the cancellation or postponement of events due to the new coronavirus.

At the same time, the sport's governing body is working with race organizers to determine changes in dates for postponed events and to create a calendar for the second half of the season.

The UCI has stated that the end of the season may be postponed in order to extend the racing season through the fall. This would allow organizers of postponed events to hold races later in the season. As for rescheduling, the UCI has announced that priority will be given to the three Grand Tours and the Monument.

"In its role as the governing body of our sport, the UCI is working on a framework for the future UCI international road calendar, based on its interaction with stakeholders, giving priority to the three Grand Tours and the Monuments of Cycling. The results of this internal work will be announced as soon as the conditions are met," according to a UCI press release.