Le Col-Wahoo pull team from Setmana Ciclista Valenciana due to COVID-19

Le Col-Wahoo have confirmed that they will not start Setmana Ciclista Valenciana as originally planned due to cases of COVID-19 and close contacts. The team will instead make their debut at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on February 26 in Belgium

"Unfortunately, due to Covid cases and close contacts, we will not be starting Setmana Valenciana," Le Col-Wahoo confirmed across their social media channels.

The British outfit were on the original list of 13 WorldTeams and 12 Continental teams, but they have now been replaced by the Spanish-registered team Team Farto-BTC. It is one of the strongest fields to have assembled at the four-day race since its inception six years ago.

Setmana Ciclista Valenciana is a stage race that has made its mark as one of the most important early-season stage races in Europe. It annually attracts a world-class field because of its position following many of the top-tier teams training camps held in the area and directly ahead of the Spring Classics Opening Weekend.

The team, formerly called DROPS Le Col s/b Tempur, announced in January that Wahoo joined as a co-title sponsor and that they aimed to eventually join the UCI's top tier of teams, the Women’s WorldTour.

Their goals and management remain the same with Tom and Bob Varney, the original founders of DROPS Le Col, continuing as directors.

Le Col-Wahoo will now make their debut at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on February 26 and Omloop van het Hageland on February 27 to kick off the Spring Classics.