Team Sunweb general manager Ivan Spekenbrink is the latest cycling official to comment on the uncertain future of the Tour de France, which may be postponed due to the Covid 19 coronavirus outbreak.

The Dutchman said that safety must come first in any decision about the future of the Tour and that government advice and regulations must be followed before the race can resume.

"Whether the Tour de France continues depends on many factors, the most important being safety," Spekenbrink told Cycling News.

"But the most important is safety," Spekenbrink told Cycling News.

France has been on lockdown since mid-March to try to contain the spread of the virus that has hit countries around the world in recent months. Sporting events around the world, including the Tokyo Olympics, have been postponed or canceled.

"There is a difference between (the Tour and) the Olympics. The Olympics require qualifiers, and we are running out of time for the remaining qualifiers. Plus, the Olympics are held every four years, so it's a unique opportunity for most players to try to medal. Everyone wants to be the best prepared they can be.

"The Tour is a little different. Perhaps after 2021, everyone will be given a fair chance."

"The difference between the annual nature of the Tour and the unique four-year nature of the Olympics raises questions about this cycling season.

Spekenbrink added that if the go-ahead is given to hold the Tour, there must be enough time in advance for riders to train outside for the race. Then the calendar, the length of the race, and whether it would be held "behind closed doors" with no spectators would also be considered.

As of Saturday morning, it was reported that ASO, the race organizer, had set a May 15 deadline for deciding what the pinnacle event on the race calendar would be.

"If the cycling community is to answer 'yes' to this question, it is important that all participants be able to train outside for a defined minimum period of time in order to achieve the best possible results under these special circumstances and to create a relatively fair opportunity for all participants.

"And if the cycling community were to answer "yes" to this question and conclude that it is important to make the season meaningful, how would the Tour be held?

"Ride with spectators or without" Cycling is of course a people's sport, but even if the 15 million people along the roadside won't be there this year, hundreds of millions will be reached around the world via television and the Internet.

"In short, it has to be safe, and if the cycling community concludes that it is worthwhile to make something of this season, then how the Tour can be held will be considered."