The Movistar team announced that the men's and women's teams will suspend all racing activities until March 22 due to the outbreak of coronavirus Covid-19 across Europe.

Spanish teams will not participate in the Paris-Nice (March 8-15), Tirreno-Adriatico (March 11-17), and Milan-San Remo (March 21) for the men's WorldTour team, and Ronde van Drenthe (March 15) for the women's WorldTour team, Nokere Coase (March 18), and Omloop van de Westhoek (March 22), and the Women's World Tour team will not participate in the Ronde van Drenthe (March 15), Nokere Coase (March 18), Omloop van de Westhoek (March 22).

Italian race organizers have already cancelled the Strade Bianche, GP Industria & Artigianato, and Trofeo Alfredo Binda women's races. For the latest team changes, see the Coronavirus Team Withdrawal Tracker. (opens in new tab)

"This choice was made in light of the current situation related to COVID-19, taking into account the advice of the team doctors," Movistar said.

"The Movistar team has made a decision that aims to contribute, to the extent possible, to a return to normal conditions in order to protect the health of all members as well as all those involved in cycling."

Movistar joins a list of major teams that have opted not to race in the coming weeks: the CCC team, UAE Team Emirates, Team Ineos, Astana, and Mitchelton Scott will miss Italy and Paris-Nice, while others, Tirreno-Adriatico and a number of teams will miss Milan - Sanremo. Despite the large number of coronavirus cases in Italy, RCS Sport is fighting to protect at least Milan-San Remo, and a decision on Tirreno-Adriatico is expected soon.

France now has 423 Covid-19 cases spread across the country, and measures to combat the spread of the disease may soon be stepped up. On Thursday, however, race organizer ASO announced that the race will go on.

ASO has adjusted the roster size to accommodate the teams' declination to race, allowing for one more person. ASO also extended invitations to Circus Wanty Gobert and B&B Hotels Vital Concepts to fill the Paris-Nice peloton.

The UCI said it would review each team's decision on a case-by-case basis to ensure there was no financial penalty; the UCI has accepted logistical issues, personal choices, and decisions by local health authorities as legitimate reasons for not racing.

France's AG2R La Mondiale has decided to change Romain Bardet's spring calendar and send him to Paris-Nice. Other teams have also changed their lineups.