Another pandemic day, another UCI Gran Fondo World Series race cancelled – or three

It’s the #newnormal.

Today, UCI Cheaha Granfondo in the USA state of Alabama, which has 1270 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 22 deaths and no stay-at-home order, threw in the towel, admitting defeat.  The 17 May Gran Fondo World Championship qualifying event is cancelled.

UCI Granfondo Moscow (RUS) on 24 May and UCI Granfondo Banja Luka (BOH) on 30 May also cancelled to make it a UCI trifecta.

With half of the UCI Gran Fondo World Championship Qualifying races now cancelled and more cancellations imminent, is it time for the UCI to step up and cancel the 2020 Gran Fondo World Championships?

In a word, YES.

UCI Cheaha Granfondo Race Director Brooke Nelson summed up the current situation well, “While not insignificant to us, our ride is a small blip on the radar of the big scheme of things. We had to look at the big picture. Everyone really should.” 

Check the GFDN Worldwide Gran Fondo Calendar for the most accurate and up-to-date listings of current, cancelled and rescheduled events