Lousã Portugal World Cup Postponed
(*Updated, 3/11/2020, 2:17 AM, PST)
We have received confirmation from the UCI that the first World Cup has been postponed and an official announcement has been released. At the moment it looks like the event will be happening later in the year but a date is yet to be confirmed.
 | Due to the current pneumonia epidemic (Covid-19) linked to the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which has also affected Portugal in recent days, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) must announce that the opening round of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup which was to take place at Louzanpark in Lousã on 21 and 22 March will not take place on the scheduled dates. The UCI fully supports the decision taken by the Lousã local authorities and the Montanha Clube to reschedule the event based on the instructions made on 10 March by the Portuguese public health authorities. In light of the current situation, the running of the event would have potentially presented a health risk to riders, to everyone involved in the event and to fans, and could have contributed to the spread of Covid-19. The new date of the event will be announced by the UCI after consultation with the organising committee and the country’s health authorities, taking into account the overall calendar of the series and depending on the evolution of the spread of the coronavirus worldwide and in Portugal. The UCI would like to thank the city of Lousã and the Montanha Clube for their cooperation in this difficult situation, as well as the riders, teams and all parties involved for their understanding. |
| Following the epidemiological situation that is being experienced worldwide resulting from Covid-19 and which has affected Portugal in recent days, Montanha Clube and Lousã City Hall have thus been forced to postpone the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup which would take place at Louzanpark on the 21st and 22nd of March. According to the “Orientation” of 03/10/2020 of the Director-General of Health, Graça Freitas, there are several points that make the realization of this event unfavorable since it is considered as a mass event and can contribute to the increase of the spread infection, and with the priority of protecting public health, the following guidelines are established: - Postpone or cancel all events that involve or may involve the concentration of more than 150 people in municipalities where there are clusters (or outbreaks) with secondary transmission of COVID-19 or when there are confirmed cases in relation to which finds the epidemiological link. - Postpone or cancel all events that, even with a concentration of less than 1,000 people, involve or may involve the participation of people who were present, in the last 14 days, in areas where there is active and sustained community transmission of the virus, namely, to date, Italy, China, South Korea, Iran, Japan and Singapore, updated according to the epidemiological evolution. - Without prejudice to the previous guidelines, postpone or cancel all events that take place outdoors and that involve the concentration of more than 5,000 people. The new date for the event will be the subject of debate between the organizing entity and the maximum organ of world cycling next week, Montanha Clube and UCI. Montanha Clube, as the event's organizer, regrets what happened, which is a serious national and global public health problem. |
There have been an increasing number of events and gatherings being canceled worldwide in recent days along with restrictions being placed on travel by various governments, agencies, and organizations.
Here's what we do know: According to a letter published by the Portuguese Ministry of Health, guidelines have been established that indoor events with over 1,000 visitors and outdoor events with over 5,000 would be canceled by early April. Theoretically, the event could be held without spectators. We have previously reported that the UCI was maintaining a "hands-off" approach to individual events.
The UCI released the following statement last week regarding events:
UCI Statement: Impact of the coronavirus on the UCI International Calendar
(March 4, 2020, 18:45PM)
Following a meeting held today with representatives of different members of the cycling family – teams, riders and organisers -, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) specifies the following on the subject of the next events on its calendar given the current pneumonia epidemic (Covid-19) linked to the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
The decision has been taken not to proceed with the cancellation of any events at this stage. Any possible decision to cancel will be taken by the health authorities in the concerned regions depending on the evolution of the local situation and different risk factors identified. The organisers and all members of the cycling family will be obliged to comply to any such decision.
For the events still taking place, it has been decided that each organiser must take a certain number of measures with the aim of limiting to a maximum the risk of the coronavirus spreading further. These include increasing the distance between the public and riders, particularly in the start and finish zones; respecting a strict medical protocol, variable depending on the country, but in any case including a process for dealing with suspected cases and the provision of a detailed map of establishments capable of carrying out diagnostic tests for the coronavirus; limiting the number of teams staying in each hotel; respecting certain hygiene measures, for example avoiding the use of the same pen by riders signing in at the beginning of the race.
If the organisers are required, on decision by their authorities, to refuse the participation of certain teams or if teams find themselves unable to take part in an event for a valid reason, the UCI will need to be informed rapidly. In such a situation, it will take necessary measures, on a case-by-case basis, to ensure that no team is penalised, either financially or when their sporting results are considered, in particular when it comes to evaluating their UCI WorldTeam or UCI ProTeam status.
If the evolution of the situation were to justify other measures, the UCI, which is permanently following the situation and remains in contact with all stakeholders via an ad hoc group, will rapidly take the necessary decisions.
The UCI reiterates that the measures undertaken aim to reduce the risk of infection among riders, team staff, the public and any other person involved in cycling, in order to avoid contributing to the spread of the coronavirus worldwide.
The UCI will write to each of cycling’s different groups – teams, riders, organisers and National Federations – with details of measures taken and the procedure to follow.
The UCI would like to thank the members of the cycling family for their contribution to this fight against the spreading of the coronavirus and calls for the unity of all parties, necessary in this context.
The same principles will be applied for all events on the UCI International Calendar, and for all disciplines.
(March 4, 2020, 18:45PM)
Following a meeting held today with representatives of different members of the cycling family – teams, riders and organisers -, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) specifies the following on the subject of the next events on its calendar given the current pneumonia epidemic (Covid-19) linked to the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
The decision has been taken not to proceed with the cancellation of any events at this stage. Any possible decision to cancel will be taken by the health authorities in the concerned regions depending on the evolution of the local situation and different risk factors identified. The organisers and all members of the cycling family will be obliged to comply to any such decision.
For the events still taking place, it has been decided that each organiser must take a certain number of measures with the aim of limiting to a maximum the risk of the coronavirus spreading further. These include increasing the distance between the public and riders, particularly in the start and finish zones; respecting a strict medical protocol, variable depending on the country, but in any case including a process for dealing with suspected cases and the provision of a detailed map of establishments capable of carrying out diagnostic tests for the coronavirus; limiting the number of teams staying in each hotel; respecting certain hygiene measures, for example avoiding the use of the same pen by riders signing in at the beginning of the race.
If the organisers are required, on decision by their authorities, to refuse the participation of certain teams or if teams find themselves unable to take part in an event for a valid reason, the UCI will need to be informed rapidly. In such a situation, it will take necessary measures, on a case-by-case basis, to ensure that no team is penalised, either financially or when their sporting results are considered, in particular when it comes to evaluating their UCI WorldTeam or UCI ProTeam status.
If the evolution of the situation were to justify other measures, the UCI, which is permanently following the situation and remains in contact with all stakeholders via an ad hoc group, will rapidly take the necessary decisions.
The UCI reiterates that the measures undertaken aim to reduce the risk of infection among riders, team staff, the public and any other person involved in cycling, in order to avoid contributing to the spread of the coronavirus worldwide.
The UCI will write to each of cycling’s different groups – teams, riders, organisers and National Federations – with details of measures taken and the procedure to follow.
The UCI would like to thank the members of the cycling family for their contribution to this fight against the spreading of the coronavirus and calls for the unity of all parties, necessary in this context.
The same principles will be applied for all events on the UCI International Calendar, and for all disciplines.
The Mayor of Lousã has issued a statement with the recommendation to postpone the race, along with other events scheduled in the near future. That can be read here.
Dean Lucas also posted the following on Instagram:
| Well that’s a real bummer.. looks like the first World Cup is Lousã has been cancelled due to the coronavirus. |
Must Read This Week
307 Comments
But on a serious note, how will this affect my fantasy team?
Rescheduled for November.
a) The measured, rational response:
Can't be too upset about this I guess. Looking forward to the next one.
b) The idiot response:
f*cking cancel culture
_: Subject?
C:\> “Covid_19”
_: Do you want to be an a*shole? [yes/no]
C:\> ”yes”
"I doubt that’s financially viable for the venue. It’s really going to hurt places like fort bill, I hope there’s going to be some compensation available from governments."
That's what event insurance is for. Not the governments job to cover our playing our games. They need to be funding hospitals.
Gwin is an older rider against two of the best french riders we’ve ever seen, which isn’t in his favour. He’s also coming back from MAJOR time off the bike. Meanwhile the two I mention have been riding, racing and winning consistently the whole time gwin has been off.
I have no issue with him, I’m not one of those anti america people and I don’t dislike him as a guy. It’s just a reasonable summary that he probably won’t win a WC again. Maybe I’m wrong.
Since I’m such a keyboard warrior.. how about a wager?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv8MX5ApZ8U
i'm not dissing Greg at all, but two things spring to mind.. a) he's been riding consistently for his whole career, no team/bike issues, no major injuries or time off the bike... and b) he finds it very difficult to win a WC now. (don't think he won one last year, did he?)
is there anyone here willing to jump in as the referee/witness?
terms*: loser donates $50 dollars (U.S.) to the winners chosen charity, time frame = 'the next 8 WC dh races'.
(totally agree that Greg is still a threat and how he managed to come so close all season is beyond me)
#thecommoncure
Also Pinkbike: The UCI nor event organizers have made an official statement on the Lousã World Cup, specifically,
www.facebook.com/municipiolousa/photos/a.152355028143637/2854678507911262/?type=3&theater
"The difference in response times between the two cities (≈14 days, when measured from the first reported cases) represents approximately three to five doubling times for an influenza epidemic. The costs of this delay appear to have been significant; by the time Philadelphia responded, it faced an epidemic considerably larger than the epidemic St. Louis faced. Philadelphia ultimately experienced a peak weekly excess pneumonia and influenza (P&I) death rate of 257/100,000 and a cumulative excess P&I death rate (CEPID) during the period September 8–December 28, 1918 (the study period) of 719/100,000. St. Louis, on the other hand, experienced a peak P&I death rate, while NPIs were in place, of 31/100,000 and had a CEPID during the study period of 347/100,000. Consistent with the predictions of modeling, the effect of the NPIs in St. Louis appear to have had a less-pronounced effect on CEPID than on peak death rates, and death rates were observed to climb after the NPIs were lifted in mid-November"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kas0tIxDvrg
This thread makes for interesting/grim reading from a medic in Italy: twitter.com/silviast9/status/1236933818654896129
Meanwhile in Sweden, statement of NHS: X people infected, most people with common cold like symptoms, at worst mild influenza,
Poles are no better. Basically everthing is cancelled. My old job coworkers are considering buying live chickens (seriously...)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3URhJx0NSw
Please people get your f*cking shit together... nobody knows what will happen. Eat well, sleep well, take care of yourselves and DON*T UFCKING PANIC. Take it as a test of character. Also half a year off f*cking bicycle racing won't kill anyone. Olympics and all these gigantic mass events are sickness on it's own.
Regarding Joe Rogan, while Michael Osterholm is one of the guests he has that is legit, Joe is an entertainer. As a listener, and fan, you have to be very careful with the guests and "news" from his podcast. Aside from his buddy Alex Jones, he often uses his massive following give platforms to wildly unqualified people to spread misleading and often completely false information in order to bring in listeners. Unfortunately a lot of people don't cross check references after they've heard some "news" discussed on Rogan and just take whatever he and/or the guest says at face value.
But...
It would be prudent to look at the timeline of 1918 Pandemic Influenza.
IF, and it's a big IF. Coronavirus & Covid-19 turn out to be an exceptionally virilent infection a little preparedness of what to expect will do you no harm.
1918 Pandemic Influenza arrived in 3 waves through 18/19.
If we consider the 1918 timeline to our 2020 situation - at this stage of 1918 mortality stood at approx 3.4%
According to covid19info.live/?l=en we are currently at 3.6% of known global infections.
It costs nothing to do a little research. Make yourself aware. Governments are taking unprecedented steps, both socially and economically, and they do not take these steps lightly.
If nothing comes of Coronavirus or Covid-19 at least you have learnt something about Pandemic Influenza. IF it is more serious then you have an idea of what to expect.
Now here's Tom with the weather for your local area...
What the actual f*uck,man!
Aljubarrota moda fokaaaaa
Only a joke, sorry “amigo”
Not panic, but people were way too relaxed on these last few weeks! Around here, at each news broadcast the number of infected persons keeps rising! The government asked on TV to avoid crowded events , with more than 150 people, marriages and funerals included (?). The problem is at the northern part of the country but as Poland, we are a small country, and this thing spreads fast.
Personally I think it does affect older people the most, young fellas will cope a lot better, but why to risk it and have hundreds of casualties in a few weeks to come?
Now off to the pub and have a beer! Cheers
My bet is they do what UCI is doing to the Paris-Nice road race that is currently happening - they will close the finish area to spectators.
Maybe they will work towards closed racing but I doubt it, if this carries on the seasons over before it begins.
Also weather cancelling events? How often does that happen?
Screwed over by Wu-Flu!
And I thought "Train to Wuhan" was good. :-)
At this moment every cultural and sports event in Portugal it's being canceled.
Our government it's trying to ensure that prevention takes the victory here. We don't have any casualties yet, we intend to stay that way.
I wonder how many regional races will follow suit?
Be sensible, stay local and prevent the spread of 19.
Italians have it much worst atm thought,makes all this seem trivial.
The f*cking commies suppress the info for at least a month before it blows up fully in Wuhan. They then announce that they are going to close down Wuhan days before they actually do letting millions bug out taking that 'ish with them.
Meanwhile Tedros from the WHO shows up to give Xi a blow job and says there's no need to close borders?
This was over a month ago! All of this could've been sorted if everyone shot down every plane that tried to leave Wuhan.
And what about Thailand, that's right next door with a porous and has decided to not identify or test Wuflu? Their numbers for some time were insanely low. That's because they called the cases viral pneumonia (the numbers of which doubled between 2/22 and 2/29). So their borders stayed open.
There is a whole chain of mother f*ckers that have done us in with this starting with the CCP and the WHO. But now it's every western government that's decided to not close borders since then that has assured further spread.
#snowshoe2020makeupdate
But in PT case, as of now, except broader national measures, the containment is being done by municipality
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