Road worlds schedule confirmed despite unresolved race calendar

The schedule for the 2020 Road World Championships in Switzerland has been confirmed for 20 - 27 September despite the uncertain future of the road cycling calendar this season because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Rohan Dennis celebrates his gold medal at the 2019 UCI Road World Championships Source: Getty Images

The schedule was confirmed 27 March by the organising committee and the news is making its way around the world of cycling. 

The event begins on Sunday 20 September with the men's ITT and continues right through to the men's elite road race the following Sunday. 

"The approval of the events programme is an important step and especially symbolic given the current situation," said Alexandre Debons, co-president of the organising committee. 

"Our objective is to offer the best of sport as well as to protect the environment and quality of life of the local population with races finishing early. This last point is especially important for us."

With the road calendar still up in the air after a number of races were postponed or are facing postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic, the decision is seemingly at odds with an address UCI boss David Lappartient gave on his Facebook page on 29 March, where he also made no mention of the confirmed date of the road worlds.

In the address, it appeared priority would be given to grand tours and the monuments in a revised calendar which he said was happening in consultation with cycling's stakeholders. 

Velonews reports the decision has angered Jumbo-Visma manager Richard Plugge. 

“In my opinion, the UCI should not send this out now when the ‘cycling families’ are discussing the calendar of hopefully a remaining season,” he said. “It feels like, ‘my own race first.’ Organisers could use that first weekend to fill with a classic."

"The UCI should think of the whole cycling world and all stakeholders, instead of only their own race.”