The Ronde van Drenthe Women's World Tour and 1.1 Men's race has been renamed the Bebrising Ronde van Drenthe this year, along with the Drenthe Acht van Westerveld, due to government regulations regarding health and safety measures related to the coronavirus pandemic. Cancelled.

Earlier in the week, there was optimism that the race would take place barring dramatic changes, but that is no longer a possibility. At a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Dutch Health Minister Bruno Bruins announced that all events in the Netherlands involving more than 100 people would be cancelled immediately.

"Sadly, this means that our race will not take place," race secretary general Huub van Ism confirmed to Cycling News. 'We hope to take part again next year.'

The Drentse Acht van Westerveld (1.2) was scheduled to be raced on Friday, March 13, with the men's Ronde van Drenthe on Saturday and the women's World Tour race on Sunday.

In the Netherlands, public events with more than 100 participants are prohibited until at least March 31.

The next two Women's World Tour races, Driedaagse Brugge-De-Panne and Gent-Wevelgem, also face cancellation as the Flemish authorities have cancelled all sporting events until that date, putting the spring season in jeopardy.

More to follow...