Which riders will be affected the most by the Corona-crisis?

[Berflamand]

Now that chances are high that most, if not all, of the cycling season 2020 might be lost, I'm wondering which riders will be affected by this the most?

I guess this will be especially difficult for riders who are end of contract. Riders like Van Avermaet and Gilbert can't be happy either as this is one chance less for a RVV (Van Avermaet) or Milan San Remo (Gilbert) win and they're not exactly getting any younger.

Young riders like Evenepoel and Valverde probably aren't bothered that much as they're at the beginning of their careers and still have a good 10 to 15 years ahead of them.

 

[Joelsim]

Aside from the youngster, Valverde, I have a feeling it’ll be the end for a few older guys and a few younger guys. Take Alejandro Osorio, bags of talent yet has been injured a lot in his first season and a bit, one year contract. May take him 2 or 3 years to get a ride again.

 

[Breezy1985]

Valverde springs to mind right away.
Also feel a bit sad for Mads if he doesn't get to show off his rainbows in a big race

 

[RedheadDane]

End-of-contract riders, who are fairly low in the hierarchy of their team.

 

[spalco]

Quintana by far imo. This was going to be his year, finally.

 

[Koronin]

Mads doesn't get to show off his rainbow jersey. Valverde finally gets a worthy Spanish Champions jersey and doesn't get to race in it.

Those hurt most are going to be the many of the older riders and the lower hierarchy riders. Then some of the younger riders who will be out of contract at the end of the season.

 

[Ranagazoo]

There's a few guys who were flying and looks like their form will be wasted. Quintana the obvious one but GVA has been riding really well from what I've seen this season. Also Heinrich Haussler seemed to be having a rejuvanation, a shame for him to miss out on the classics.

On the other end of the scale is Van der Poel and perhaps Van Aert with their illness/injury issues I've a feeling they would have underperformed this spring. Dumoulin too gets plenty of time to recover.

 

[Parker]

On the other end of the scale is Van der Poel and perhaps Van Aert with their illness/injury issues I've a feeling they would have underperformed this spring. Dumoulin too gets plenty of time to recover.

Similarly Froome, who will be churning out the kilos in the South African countryside while Europe is in lockdown

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

As I have stated elsewhere, those who had a poor 2019, for whatever reason, and were relying on a better 2020 for their 2021 contract negotiations (I think that defines most of my CQ Game team). Their second chance to impress has gone.


And maybe those who live in Spain, if the situation whereby they are arrested for going on training rides continues.

 

[Son of Amsterhammer]

You can't even go on a solo ride in Spain?? damn.

 

[42x16ss]

I'm sure if you live near the remotest parts of the Asturias or the Sierra Nevada you could do it but you wouldn't want to risk it in most places.

 

[Koronin]

Gorka Izagirre isn't the only rider complaining. Movistar's management has made some official complaints on behalf of all pro cyclists in the country.

 

[42x16ss]

The worst affected riders IMO will be GT riders, out of the high profile riders and lower profile domestiques who have contracts ending this year.

The advantage classics riders have is that a 1 day race will be far easier to reschedule than the Giro/TDF

 

[Alexandre B.]

European riders will be the most affected.

 

[Berflamand]

Valverde springs to mind right away.
Also feel a bit sad for Mads if he doesn't get to show off his rainbows in a big race

What if the Worlds 2020 also end up getting cancelled? Would Pedersen be allowed to wear the rainbow jersey in the 2021 season?

 

[SafeBet]

It really depends on how long it will take to get back to normality.
Sure, riders like Froome and Dumoulin have more time to recover, but if there's no pro race until, say, 2021 these guys will start next cycling season with no professional cycling for almost 2 years. And Froome will be 36. I'm not sure they're particularly happy about the situation honestly.

 

[gerundium]

It really depends on how long it will take to get back to normality.
Sure, riders like Froome and Dumoulin have more time to recover, but if there's no pro race until, say, 2021 these guys will start next cycling season with no professional cycling for almost 2 years. And Froome will be 36. I'm not sure they're particularly happy about the situation honestly.

I guess none of the pro riders are happy about the situation.

With Froome being in Africa atm though i think he is at an advantage with for now better training circumstances than most of Europe. That could all change though in the next weeks as this virus spreads also outside of Europe.

 

[BlueRoads]

Maybe those who love racing, who live to race. Some might take this as an opportunity to think about what else to do with their lives, but I guess for some it's not just a question of finances/ livelihood but also a question of routines they need and some, not lots, might become really depressed.

 

[ppanther92]

By the looks of it, Quintana.

 

[tobydawq]

Søren Kragh and Tiesj Benoot.

 

[Berflamand]

Quintana by far imo. This was going to be his year, finally.

Yes but on the other hand, Quintana already has 5 wins this season whereas Roglic for example hasn't even had one race day. He probably regrets not starting his season earlier like in previous years.

 

[WKA311]

U23 riders who are in their final year and had to show themselves for a Pro contract.

On a similar note the lower tier WT, PCT and CT riders who are pure domestiques in contract year, come back from injury etc. Could be careers at stake.

 

[King Boonen]

As I have stated elsewhere, those who had a poor 2019, for whatever reason, and were relying on a better 2020 for their 2021 contract negotiations (I think that defines most of my CQ Game team). Their second chance to impress has gone.


And maybe those who live in Spain, if the situation whereby they are arrested for going on training rides continues.

This. If you had decent form last year and your contract is up then I'd guess it'll get extended as there's no racing to judge if there is someone better. It's the people who really had to impress that will suffer.



The riders association should be pushing all teams to extend rider contracts by 12 months.

 

[Breezy1985]

What if the Worlds 2020 also end up getting cancelled? Would Pedersen be allowed to wear the rainbow jersey in the 2021 season?

If there is no racing in 2020 I think that would be fair. Same for nat champs

 

[Anderis]

Young riders like Evenepoel and Valverde probably aren't bothered that much as they're at the beginning of their careers and still have a good 10 to 15 years ahead of them.

Not sure if it's right to still count Evenepoel as a young rider.