Bucking the trend of teams pulling out of races in reaction to the global coronavirus [Covid-19] outbreak, Israel Startup Nation vowed Thursday to participate in races that meet safety standards set by local health authorities, race organizers, and the UCI. In a statement sent to the media, Israel Startup Nation said its owners and staff consulted with team doctors before reaching their decision and set guidelines for the race as the world faces a coronavirus outbreak.

The team, in its first year on the World Tour, will participate in Paris-Nice, which starts Sunday. Two other races scheduled for this weekend in Italy, Strade Bianche and GP Industria, have been canceled by organizers. The team also said it plans to participate in the Tirreno Adriatico March 11-17, provided the Italian race is held and all guidelines by local authorities and the team's medical staff are met.

"Following all the advice and approvals by the local health authorities, the UCI, and the organizers, we have come to the conclusion that our team is fully motivated to continue racing as long as it is guaranteed that the race will be held safely," said team manager Kjell Carlstrom.

"As long as we are satisfied that measures are in place to protect the health of our riders and staff and the public health in that race, we will participate in the race," he said.

The team hopes to race in the current conditions, but has given all riders a personal decision on whether or not to race. According to the team, participation by riders and staff is 100% voluntary.

"If anyone on the team is not comfortable with going to a certain race, they can tell us and we will fully respect that decision," Carlstrom said.

So far, Astana, Mitchelton Scott, Team Ineos, CCC Team, and UAE Team Emirates have withdrawn from Paris-Nice. Belgian professional team Circus Wanty Gobert has reportedly been invited to the race to fill the peloton.

Race organizer RCS Sport was forced to cancel this weekend's race, but no decision has yet been made on Tirreno-Adriatico, scheduled to start Wednesday on the Tuscan coast and cross central Italy, or Milan-San Remo, scheduled for Saturday, March 21. No decision has been made yet.