Mauro Veni, race director of the Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, and Milan-San Remo, said that if the Italian government approves new, more stringent measures to control the spread of the coronavirus throughout Italy, these races will either be canceled or September, he acknowledged.

On Monday, RCS Sport informed the teams that the races would continue. However, teams and their medical staff have questioned the decision to race in Italy as the coronavirus continues to spread throughout Italy and across Europe.

The Italian government is now considering more drastic measures, including closing all Italian schools for at least two weeks, canceling all sports and public events involving people who cannot stand more than one meter apart, and calling on the elderly to stay indoors and limit physical contact.

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While soccer matches can be played without spectators, the nature of road racing makes it virtually impossible to limit contact with the public or race staff.

"Three big race dates are coming up: the Strada Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, and Milano-Sanremo, and as I said a few days ago, our intention is to hold the races and put on a show for the fans," Veni told Tuttobiciweb (opens in new tab) on Wednesday. The directive from the [Italian] scientific committee leaves little room for maneuver and if adopted by the government we will be forced to cancel the three races"

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Vecni suggested that the races could be held at a later date in the 2020 season, rather than being cancelled from the calendar altogether.

"We will work with the UCI to find new slots on the calendar for these races that we absolutely do not want to lose," Veni said.

"We have an alternative plan so that the races are not lost: they could be held after the Giro d'Italia in June or in September," Veni told the Adoncronos news agency.

Italian authorities confirmed Tuesday evening that the number of positive tests for the coronavirus had risen to 2,263, with 79 people dead and 229 in intensive care. 88% of those infected are in northern Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia Romagna, but additional isolated cases are being found hourly throughout Italy.

Veni and most of the RCSport race staff live in northern Italy. They returned from a tour of the UAE on Monday, where they were tested negative for coronavirus and appear ready to hold the race, much to the concern of the teams and riders.

Ultimately, however, it will be the Italian government's decision that will determine whether the race (which will include several races outside the RCSport lineup) will take place in Italy in March.