Paris (AFP)
The Tour of Switzerland, which was on the program in June, is canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, announced on Friday the organizers of the cycle race who do not anticipate a postponement.
"Since the end of the Second World War, this is the first time that the National Loop will not take place," noted the organizers.
The Tour of Switzerland was scheduled from June 7 to 14, beyond the date currently set by the International Cycling Union (UCI) for the suspension of various races (June 1).
The organizing company said it had made the cancellation decision "at an early stage, even if the federal authorities have not yet imposed a ban".
For explanations, the organizers listed "great uncertainty" concerning the support of the army and the police, the random preparation of the runners and the travel restrictions, the risk of additional pressure on the Swiss health system in case falls, "massive financial loss" from advertising partnerships and the additional costs of late cancellation.
The postponement hypothesis was not retained, "it being understood that this is not feasible in logistical and financial terms" according to the press release from the organization which plans to copy the Tour de Suisse 2021 on the one that was planned for next June.
© 2020 AFP