Team Jumbo Visma has withdrawn from the Paris-Nice. This follows the Strade Bianche, Tirreno Adriatico, and Milan-San Remo, which were canceled by organizer RCS Sport following the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak.

Paris-Nice organizer ASO announced Thursday evening that 19 teams will participate in the race, which starts Sunday. Astana, CCC, Ineos, Mitchelton Scott, and UAE Team Emirates have withdrawn from the race, while Movistar also withdrew on Friday.

The teams followed the advice of the medical staff, but the medical staff expressed a negative view, saying that they did not have sufficient assurance about the procedures to be followed.

Jumbo Bisma director Richard Plagge said, "This is painful and disappointing. But this is the best decision we can make right now." As a management team we have a responsibility to carefully consider all risks. It is too big now."

The team reported that the riders and staff scheduled to race in France, including Primosz Roglic, Wout Van Art, George Bennett, and Sepp Kuss, were "understanding and agreeable."

Jumbo Bisma said that his participation in future races would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

"Cycling has a unique character, and travel and hotel stays come with the sport. That makes us vulnerable in this Corona crisis. The health of the athletes, staff, and the general public deserves every priority, taking into account quarantine, illness, hospitalization, and other possible situations."

Paris-Nice will host 18 teams, including two from B&B Hotels-Vital Concept and Circus-Wanty Gobert. The race will also consist of eight riders to make up for those who withdrew.

"In this particular situation, two additional invitation slots have been added for teams in the UCI ProTeam category: the B&B Hotels-Vital Concept and Circus-Wanty Gobert.

." After obtaining the agreement of the International Cycling Union (UCI) and in consultation with the teams, the organizers also decided to increase the number of riders per team from seven to eight."

Meanwhile, the Italian race calendar was devastated by the coronavirus, with the GP Larchiano, Trofeo Alfredo Binda, Settimana Coppi e Bartali, and Tour of Sicily joining World Tour events in being cancelled.