Strade Bianche: August 1, 2020

[Screecher]

I guess it depends on the Italian government. If they approve the new measures before the race starts then it won't be raced.

 

[Asero831]

so the race is officially postponed?

 

[Bonimenier]

Jumbo Visma announced they will not participate in SB.

 

[SafeBet]

so the race is officially postponed?

Nope, decision will be taken after further communication from the government.

 

[Rollthedice]

Nope, decision will be taken after further communication from the government.

I think it's just a matter of time.

 

[Pantani_lives]

This looks bad.

 

[Son of Amsterhammer]

yeah...I'd bet almost anything they postpone. Looks like all the Italian races face this.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

If the purpose of cancellation is largely to prevent people travelling around (there are far more transmission opportunities on public transport and in hotels than on the road), then late cancellation, when people are already committed to travel, is almost pointless.

 

[Cinemaniak]

I'm happy its going to be postponed. I wasn't able to see it because of a family weekend, so it's all for the best people

 

[RedheadDane]

Looks like you'll have to update the date in the headline to "To Be Decided".

 

[KZD]

It was oficially cancelled now

 

[sir fly]

After the Giro looks more likely than between Vuelta and the Worlds.
Or the Italian autumn becomes even richer.

I'd rather enjoy it in the harvesting ambiance.

 

[Nirvana]

The best spot would be the wednesday after Lombardia with Sanremo on the following Saturday, in this way there would be a conflict only with Guangxi and also riders from Paris-Tours could attend, during the season every spot will have multiple overlapping with both the period between Giro and Tour and between Tour and Vuelta already overcrowded and a calendar already full in Italy after the Vuelta that doesn't allow new races without sacrificing others. Anyway the bigger problem will be that more and more races will add to the list in the coming weeks and there isn't a place for everyone to be rescheduled.

 

[sir fly]

TA and La Primavera aren't canceled yet.

 

[Nirvana]

Officially yes but they are only awaiting to pull the plug, and almost every race in the coming weeks will follow.

 

[sir fly]

The more it's canceled, the less possible to reschedule.

 

[del1962]

Not sure any races are likely to be rescheduled, perhaps the monuments, can't see logistically if cancelled the Giro being rescheduled.

 

[sir fly]

Yes, the one-day races (especially Monuments) are more likely to be rescheduled than the weeklong. No way the Grand Tours can be rescheduled, and they're not endangered yet.
The teams' decisions are influencing the development of events, too.

 

[Pantani_lives]

My spring won't have any structure without theese races. It's like the Catholic Church cancelling Easter.

 

[sir fly]

My spring won't have any structure without theese races. It's like the Catholic Church cancelling Easter.

Orthodox position.

 

[myrideissteelerthanyours]

SB is kind of a gimmicky exhibition set in the extra-early part of the calendar. If they schedule it when elite riders are on form is anybody going to want to see it go back the way it was next year?

 

[tobydawq]

SB is kind of a gimmicky exhibition set in the extra-early part of the calendar. If they schedule it when elite riders are on form is anybody going to want to see it go back the way it was next year?

Come again?

 

[Leinster]

Come again?

It’s a novel take on a race that’s been won almost exclusively by elite riders, but I’ll bite. If it takes place after San Sebastián it could be a great new time for it, except the reduced chance of a rainy race would negate the fun of the gravel. Have it at Lombardia/post Worlds time, and you’re maybe extending the season a bit too long.

 

[sir fly]

Number 19, Corona, trying to break.
Panico joins.

Conte trying to close, but fails.
Borrelli takes over...

 

[Libertine Seguros]

It’s a novel take on a race that’s been won almost exclusively by elite riders, but I’ll bite. If it takes place after San Sebastián it could be a great new time for it, except the reduced chance of a rainy race would negate the fun of the gravel. Have it at Lombardia/post Worlds time, and you’re maybe extending the season a bit too long.

At the same time it is probably far easier logistically - the l'Eroica Sportive is on October 4th, so a lot of those strade bianche will already be closed to traffic and logistically planned for cycling on that day. Could make a weekend of it this far in advance to minimise disruption, a bit like the London-Surrey "Classic" or whatever it's currently called, where the sportive happens on Saturday (while the elite women do a crit, because God forbid the women do a proper race course, but that's another bugbear of mine and an argument for another day, since Strade Bianche DOES have a proper women's race) and the elite men race on the Sunday.