The president of the Spanish Cycling Federation has announced that Spanish road races, including the "Volta a Catalunya," will restrict public access to the start and finish as part of the enhanced measures against the coronavirus. [President José Luis López Cerón told Cycling News on Wednesday, "It is the example of Paris-Nice that should be emulated.

"But this is our directive at the moment. But each Spanish region and each health authority will apply its own rules and they will have the final say on what happens."

"For example, in Valladolid (northern Spain), mountain bike races are allowed to take place this weekend and no orders have been issued against them, but in Murcia (southeast), as I understand it, all sporting events, including bicycle races, are "prohibited for the next 15 days."

.

Lopez Ceron noted that road racing regulations may be further changed in the future. He added, "What will happen is for each region to decide, but the situation is changing rapidly everywhere."

According to a press release issued by the federation, all track events, regardless of category, will be held behind closed doors, following a state order issued Tuesday banning public access to indoor and stadium sports.

Cycling News understands from sources close to the Catalunya Volta that as of noon Wednesday, the race, which will be held March 23-29, is proceeding with the new restrictions. However, no official announcement has yet been made by the race organization.

Meanwhile, Spanish website Ciclo21 reported that the stage race Volta ao Alentejo (category 2.2), which was scheduled to take place March 18-22 in Portugal, has been canceled as a precaution against the coronavirus.