Organizers of the Amstel Gold Race have been forced to cancel this year's race due to a coronavirus outbreak, race director Leo van Fleet announced Wednesday. All races in Belgium through April 30 have also been canceled or postponed in order to contain the spread of the deadly Covid 19 disease caused by the new virus SARS-CoV-2. According to [Sporza.be (opens in new tab)], "During the Amstel Gold Race weekend, the safety and health of athletes, visitors, and everyone working will always be the top priority," Van Fleet said.

Last year's race was won by Dutch champion Mathieu van der Pol, who overtook pre-race favorites, including Julien Alaphilippe, just before the finish line.

The cancellation follows the tragic news that all major races, including the Giro d'Italia, fell victim to "social distancing" precautions to prevent the rapid spread of the virus.

On Tuesday, ASO announced that Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and La Flèche Wallonne would not be held. Scheldeprijs and Brabanté Paille have been removed from the calendar for the time being after the Belgian federation decided to cancel all races until April 30.

"As a result of the UCI decision and the additional measures taken by the National Security Council, the Belgian Cycling Federation, Bicycle Vlaanderen and FCWB have extended the decision already taken earlier to include all cycling races in Belgium in all categories in the international, national and regional calendar, We have decided to cancel until April 30 in all cycling disciplines," the Belgian Cycling Federation announced."

The Netherlands has not yet requested similar sweeping action, Van Fleet said." We are following the advice of the health and safety authorities and the Amstel Gold Race is too early to guarantee its safe holding."

"This is of course a difficult decision and we are very disappointed. The Amstel Gold Race organizers have been working for a year on this great event. We understand that this is a disappointment for all participants, be they professional or touring cyclists. But we cannot help but make this choice."

It is not yet clear if the race will be rescheduled, but the Belgian Federation said it would process the rescheduling request.

"The new schedule will only be approved once the dates for the resumption of competition are known. We will continue to monitor this situation in close consultation with the competent federal government and adjust measures if necessary as the situation develops."