A quick update on some of the latest sportives to be affected by the coronavirus outbreak: first, this year's Fred Whitton Challenge has been cancelled.
Renowned as one of the UK's toughest cycling challenges, the Fred Whitton was set to take place on 7 June. However, with British Cycling extending their suspension of cycling events until 30 June, the organisers have decided to cancel the event rather than reschedule and risk it being called off again.
All entrants to the 2020 edition will have their entry transferred to next year's Fred Whitton, which has been set for the date of Sunday 9 May 2021.
"It is with deep regret that we are having to cancel this year's event," reads a statement on the Fred Whitton website.
"After many discussions with the Fred Whitton Steering Group it has been decided that to change the date to later in the year was not practical considering the current international fight against COVID-19.
"We did consider moving the event to a later date, but this proved difficult with the venue, daylight hours and volunteer staff. The last thing we would want to happen is to rearrange the date, allow you all to reschedule you plans and accommodation and then have to cancel again due to further disruption.
"We have therefore decided to move all entries on the 2020 rider list to Sunday 9th May 2021, no additional cost with be incurred to yourselves. Throughout the year more information will be placed on our website, and all riders will receive reconfirmation of a place early in 2021.
"Thanks for being patient with us while we made this decision, we will make 2021 better than ever to make up for our loss this year. We will still be supporting our special charities who more than ever will need to make use of all our donations this year. Therefore, all donations that were given by riders this year will be passed on to the charities concerned."
For more information, please see the Fred Whitton website: www.fredwhittonchallenge.co.uk.
Tour of Cambridgeshire cancelled
Another big event to be struck by the coronovirus is this year's Tour of Cambridgeshire.
This year's event was set for 7 June - the same date as the Fred Whitton - but organisers have taken the decision to cancel.
The news will come as a blow to UK riders hoping to qualify for this year's UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Vancouver. The Tour of Cambridgeshire is the the UK's only qualifying event in the series.
All entrants will have their entries transferred to the 2021 edition. The date hasn't been confirmed yet, but you'll find the latest news on the event website at www.golazocycling.com.
New date for Lincoln GP
Finishing on a more positive note, this year's Lincoln GP Sportive has NOT been cancelled - instead, the organisers have set a new date.
The race and sportive were originally set for the weekend of 9-10 May, but have now been pushed back to 15-16 August.
Provided restrictions have been lifted by then, the sportive will take place on Saturday 15 August with the famous race - recently rescued by sponsorship from Rapha - taking place on the Sunday.
For further details - although it's not yet showing the new dates - keep an eye on the event website: www.itpevents.co.uk/lincoln-gp-sportive.
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