Tour de France cancelled after France extends lockdown

The Tour de France will not begin as originally planned due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

French President Emmanuel Macron has cancelled all public events with large crowds until mid-July as the country continues to battle COVID-19.

Organisers say it’s no longer feasible for the showpiece three-week cycling event to start on 27 June in Nice.

Cycling’s most prestigious race was won by Team Ineos’ Egan Bernal last year.

On 10 April, cycling’s governing body also furloughed staff and cut wages as a result of the pandemic.

“Our international federation is going through a crisis without precedent since the Second World War,” said UCI president David Lappartient.

The Tour de France isn’t the only major sporting event to be canned this summer.

The European Championships have also been put back until 2021, to allow the domestic football seasons to finish. Wimbledon has also be cancelled for the first time since World War Two.

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“This is a decision that we have not taken lightly, and we have done so with the highest regard for public health and the wellbeing of all those who come together to make Wimbledon happen,” said Ian Hewitt, All England Lawn Tennis Club chairman