Lemko Evenpoel had his sights set on the Giro d'Italia and the Olympics after winning both the Vuelta a San Juan and the Volta ao Algarve this year, following his first one-day race win at last year's Clasica San Sebastian and his time trial silver medal at the World Championships.

First, he won the Giro d'Italia and the Olympics.

First the Giro was postponed, and now the Olympics. It was with great disappointment that the riders of Dečuninck-Quick Step learned that the IOC had decided to postpone the Olympics to 2021 due to a coronavirus outbreak.

"This is a big blow," he told VTM, admitting that he was upset to hear the news. 'I was home alone, and I had to yell abuse. Yes, I had to shed tears. We were getting along so well, but unfortunately that's not happening anymore. Of course, it makes sense, and people's health is the priority now. But this is one of the biggest slaps in the face."

Evenpoel denies that he will pivot to preparing for the Tour de France, if it takes place. 'Even I can't do it, I'm physically not up to it. I won't make my Grand Tour debut at the Tour de France. I have discussed that with the team before and I will stick to it."

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His first target is the Belgian championships in June. He said, "If the championships go on, that's a big goal. For the whole peloton. And as long as it is not cancelled, I will hang on to it."

"I will prepare again for Tokyo 2021. One more year will make me stronger and give me more experience. I will do my best to go to 2021 in the best condition," Evenpoel said in a team video.

Jumbo Visma's Tom Dumoulin, time trial silver medalist at the 2016 Games, commented on Twitter: "I understand that the Olympics will be postponed and it is good that the decision has already been made at this stage. Now it is clear. It's a shame for me and many other athletes.

"But I think we can look forward to the Olympics next year, and I hope we will. At this point in time, there are more important things in the world than sports.

Mark Cavendish, who has yet to prove himself with his new Bahrain McLaren team, supported the IOC's decision on Twitter.

"Big news: Tokyo 2020 postponed. Of course we have bigger things to worry about now, but on the sporting front, there will be several countries to thank for another 12 months of preparation," he wrote.

Trek-Segafredo collected comments from riders, including Rio bronze medalist Elisa Longo Borghini.

"We get the opportunity to plan our preparation in time and be ready for the new time," Longo Borghini said. For athletes, this is just a setback, nothing compared to what thousands of people around the world are facing." Quitting the sport is the right thing to do. The priority should be the people. I think about the people who are suffering and fighting every day in this state of emergency."

Longo Borghini's teammate, 2012 London road race silver medalist Lizzie Deignan, had planned to retire after Tokyo, but will continue until 2021.

"The Olympics have always been a big part of my career. I was fortunate enough to compete in the Games held in my hometown and win a medal. It is unfortunate that the Tokyo Games were postponed, but I am confident it was the right decision."

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"The Olympic Games are not only a celebration of sport, but also of our global community. I can hold on to my motivation and optimism until the 2021 Olympics. "

Vincenzo Nibali of the Trek-Segafredo men's team, who was expected to be a medal contender in Tokyo, supported the decision to postpone and indicated that he will still fight for the 2021 Games.

"The Olympic Games are a very important event for all athletes. Especially if athletes are expected to be the protagonists," Nibali said.

"Tokyo 2020 was my goal for this season, and probably the most important one. But the fact that it has been postponed for a year does not change my aspirations, and from now on I will plan my preparation so that I can go to the Games in the best possible condition." [I think the IOC made the right choice. Now the world needs to focus its efforts on fighting emergencies. Sports can take a back seat. And in 2021, we will all be ready to celebrate its rebirth together."

[5 [His teammate Richie Porte said that training is too difficult for most athletes to properly prepare for the Olympic Games in July.

"With the coronavirus going around, I think it's unfortunately the right decision. Because we are all on home trainers and swimmers are not allowed to swim in the pool. This decision really makes sense

"We are seeing people dying and with the number of infected people increasing, it is hard to argue that this was not the right decision. For me personally, it's a little disappointing because I was planning on competing in a tournament that I had to qualify for. I changed my race program to run the Ardennes in order to qualify for Australia.

NTT Pro Cycling's Victor Kampenaerts, the hour record holder and one of the favorites to win the Olympic time trial, was not surprised by the decision to postpone the event.

"I think it's a good decision and the only decision the organizers can really take, there were rumors that the Olympics would be held in November or December, but I think it's too strange to have a summer Olympics in the winter," Campenaerts said.

"At the moment, I think this is the best decision, not only for the sporting world, but for the bigger picture. It is also important for the athletes who have planned and prepared so much for this tournament."

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