Cycling worlds moved to Imola after Swiss host backs out

Baku, September 2, AZERTAC

This month’s road cycling world championships were moved to Imola, Italy, on Wednesday after Swiss host Aigle-Martigny backed out because of a government ruling limiting mass gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to AP.

The revised event from Sept. 24-27 will feature only elite men’s and women’s categories, eliminating junior and under-23 races.

“The majority of the top athletes in the elite men and women categories are already in Europe, as opposed to their younger counterparts (juniors and under 23) whose national delegations, in a significant number of cases, will not be able to travel to Italy due to travel restrictions imposed in numerous countries,” the International Cycling Union said in a statement.