Murcia tour cancelled

THE TOUR of Murcia professional cycle race became another casualty of Spain’s earlyseason competitive cycling programme when the organisers announced that is has been rescheduled from February 12-13 to May 21-22 due to the current health crisis.

In a post on the race’s Facebook page the organisers lamented: “It was a very difficult decision to make, since everything was prepared and there was a line-up that would have been one of the most important in the history of the race.”

“It is time to stand alongside those affected by the disease and the professionals facing this pandemic every day,” they added.

The race annually attracts top class cyclist from around the globe, and in recent years has been won by the likes of

Nairo Quintana, Luis Leon Sanchez, Philippe Gilbert and Alejandro Valverde.

To date, next week’s fivestage tour of Valencia, which runs from Elche to Valencia from February 3-7, still appears to be taking place.

However the race organisers have made a strong recommendation through their Facebook page: “This is a different year and we appreciate your understanding, and stress again the importance of staying at home and enjoying this edition of the race through your television screen.”

The race is being shown on Sportpublic TV.

Challenge Mallorca, was due to take place this weekend and has now been postponed until May 13-16, and the tour of Andalucía, on February 17-21, will now take place on May 24-28.