The 2021 début of cyclosportive racing in France will not occur in February – or March – after a recent string of cancellations by organisers.

With any luck, L’Héraultaise in Gignac on 3-4 April will hold the first French road cyclosportive and gravel race of 2021.

After two cancelled races set for earlier this month, 21 February was the anticipated start date for the 2021 season at  Plaimont Jean-Luc-Garnier Cyclosportive and Le Tour de l’Hortus Cyclosportive.

But coronavirus has once again turned everything topsy-turvy.  Both events have been cancelled by prefectural decree and rescheduled, Le Tour de l’Hortus 15 May and Plaimont Jean-Luc-Garnierd 23 May.

La Jacques Gouin Cyclo on 7 March has also been cancelled – without rescheduling.

Likewise, Granfondo Nice Matin and La Montagnacoise, both planned for 28 March, have been scratched.  No word on whether either will be rescheduled.

For riders looking to make up for cancelled cyclosportives, L’Héraultaise is offering a “combined” competition. It requires completing a 10.5 km road time trial on Saturday 3 April and then both the 68 km Le Gravel Cyrpeo race AND the classic 88km La Gignacoise road race on Sunday 4 April.

Worldwide Gran Fondo and Gravel Event Calendar