Belgian road championships at risk as country cancels sporting events through August 31

DOUR BELGIUM MARCH 03 Tim Merlier of Belgium and Team AlpecinFenix during the 52nd Grand Prix Le Samyn 2020 a 2019km race from Quaregnon to Dour GPSamyn gpsamyn on March 03 2020 in Dour Belgium Photo by Luc ClaessenGetty Images
Belgian champion Tim Merlier could have another year in the national champ's jersey (Image credit: Getty Images)

Just as the ASO and the UCI have announced plans for a late-August to September Tour de France with the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España following, the Belgian Security Council announced on Wednesday it has cancelled all sporting events, mass public gatherings and major summer festivals until August 31.

The move goes against the allotted date specified by the UCI for national championships of August 22-23. The Belgian championships were due to be held in Anzegem, but the mayor Gino Devogelaere told Het Nieuwsblad that he would not allow the race to be held that weekend.

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