Lousã Portugal World Cup Postponed

Mar 10, 2020 at 13:07
by Daniel Sapp  
Remember the first time you heard the name Hugo Frixtalon It was last year here in the mud for qualies. Can he repeat in the rain tomorrow

(*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.

bigquotesDue 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.
UCI

bigquotesFollowing 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.
Montanha Clube, Event Organisers

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.



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:

bigquotesWell that’s a real bummer.. looks like the first World Cup is Lousã has been cancelled due to the coronavirus.Dean Lucas




Author Info:
danielsapp avatar

Member since Jan 18, 2007
476 articles

307 Comments
  • 141 2
 world cup DH zwift championship instead. They can turn now!
  • 47 0
 Oh damn sign me up, I get way faster once the consequence variable is removed
  • 38 1
 What a ball ache been counting the days for the world cups to start
  • 30 12
 Trolling World Champs would be better... I am excited to be sponsored by Antidote Bikes, Crank Brothers and Logitech!
  • 17 0
 Being portuguese, these news destroyed my week. Probably month
  • 34 4
 Mick and Tracey become World Champs if there are no more races since they won the only race.
  • 89 3
 First of many cancellations I fear...
  • 124 5
 I have a feeling the next financial crisis has just been triggered.

But on a serious note, how will this affect my fantasy team?
  • 5 0
 I'm waiting on European rounds of ews
  • 4 7
 @brodoyouevenbike: ????????????????,how will it affect my fantasy league..belter...
  • 1 0
 @Lagr1980: do not say that
  • 11 0
 I wouldn’t expect many events to go ahead this year , unless it’s in a country with the lowest average age . Could always hold one in Blackpool !
  • 59 1
 @Matt115lamb: But then you run the risk of all the other diseases you can catch in Blackpool.
  • 4 0
 @fatduke: didn’t think of that ! Haha
  • 8 12
flag WAKIdesigns (Mar 10, 2020 at 14:27) (Below Threshold)
 I want to see the highest form of bigotry, EUFA cancelled...
  • 8 0
 @brodoyouevenbike: dude I’m still tied for first! #winning
  • 4 1
 @fatduke: Blackpool is gnarly can catch all sorts of STDs there
  • 2 0
 @Willybennett171: std’s never did me any harm !!
  • 14 0
 @Matt115lamb: SPD's never did me any harm.
  • 6 0
 @fatduke: Blackpool should be the pre qualies, if you can survive there then you’re immune to any virus!
  • 1 0
 You guys bring the beer and a bobcat , we could put a 4 minute course on my land.
  • 1 0
 @brodoyouevenbike: Or maybe that's kinda "alternative" to avoid one.
  • 3 0
 Didn't think of this. Could we all play the same team and win a session.....?
  • 1 0
 @Lagr1980: some have asked but ews not responding yet as some time away
  • 1 0
 @sadfusde: ews just cancelled the first 2 rounds.
Rescheduled for November.
  • 66 0
 If more of these DH races are cancelled they should just raffle the Fantasy prize. That way those 300 accounts I created wont be for nothing.
  • 2 11
flag Supergirl56 FL (Mar 10, 2020 at 13:33) (Below Threshold)
 how do you have 400 emails???
  • 22 1
 @Supergirl56 every gmail works as an infinite number of email addresses just add +(anything) to your email. pinkbikeruser420+fantasy1@gmail.com, pinkbikeruser420+fantasy2@gmail.com, etc. and they all go to pinkbikeruser420@gmail,com
  • 31 0
 @aerob: STOP REVEALING THE FORMULA!
  • 1 0
 @aerob: OK, but is there any point to that?
  • 62 1
 Nooooooooo!
  • 43 1
 coro-nahhhh!!!!
  • 30 0
 @loam4311: Tetsuo!!!! Kenada!!!
  • 79 8
 All cos some dude ate a bat.
  • 12 0
 Nothing stopping us PBers from showing up en mass and holding our own race. But with this crowd, we would have to enforce a "no skin suit" policy.
  • 8 0
 @piersgritten: Ozzy?
  • 34 2
 Send in the trump , he’ll sort it ! Lol
  • 2 2
 @piersgritten: bad bat
  • 2 1
 @fruitsd79: I laughed really hard at this..well played fellow nerd
  • 19 29
flag pkrides (Mar 10, 2020 at 14:14) (Below Threshold)
 @Matt115lamb: Trump could handle it...he has handled more than his fair share of old bats in his term (;
  • 2 1
 @jackalope: I’m in dude see ya there ????
  • 1 1
 @piersgritten: Must've been batshit crazy that dude.
  • 7 1
 Let`s make the whole 2020 WC in Switzerland. It`s well known that nothing bad happens in Switzerland and they have enough mountains and tracks to fullfill the job.
  • 4 12
flag jorgeposada (Mar 10, 2020 at 19:20) (Below Threshold)
 Bio warfare, this disease and Russia dropping oil prices is too convienant. Wait 30 years they will figure it out.
  • 4 3
 @piersgritten: Actually it got out of a lab.
  • 1 0
 Khaaan!
  • 5 3
 @7pirate: nah dude Greta thunberg cultured it to try and stop global warming
  • 1 1
 @piersgritten: You never know.
  • 54 17
 Thank you for reading comments. Please select a response you'd like to read.

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
  • 8 3
 QUICK everybody to the store...We must buy all the bottled water!!!!!!. Just kidding. It's bad that we were unable to control the spread of coronavirus. Darn human complacency.
  • 34 0
 @Supergirl56: Directions unclear; currently leaving Costco with 15 packs of toilet paper and 8 gallons of hand sanitizer
  • 30 17
 C:\> Comment “Pinkbike”
_: Subject?
C:\> “Covid_19”
_: Do you want to be an a*shole? [yes/no]
C:\> ”yes”
  • 14 0
 @matt-15: Who cares about toilet paper stock up on beer!
  • 17 1
 @baulz: Why would I buy Corona when that's where the virus started???
  • 13 0
 @matt-15: It's to build up your immune system.
  • 31 1
 @matt-15: why would you buy corona when there is good beer available?
  • 5 0
 @matt-15: the unfortunate thing is that there's probably people out there who believe this
  • 7 0
 @matt-15: no water!!! Just drink the sanitizer!
  • 9 0
 @matt-15: If you buy the Coronitas you can slowly build your immunity.
  • 8 4
 @WAKIdesigns: why do you put so much effort into you're pinkbike comments
  • 4 3
 @trailfurnace: It's all he has to live for
  • 1 0
 @EASIV: Brilliant!!!!!
  • 5 0
 I don't know bout yall, but I'm trying to get coronavirus such that later in life I'll be immune to the corona measles.
  • 2 0
 @hamncheez: oh shit think you might be on to something!
  • 3 4
 I'm immune, I've been drinking Corona for years..
  • 2 0
 @matt-15: I didn't survive all the races in the wet to die from a virus that's called like a light beer!
  • 6 3
 @cassiusclaim: Steve Peat raced in MSA with Swine Flu. F.A.C.T. Big Grin
  • 1 0
 @Supergirl56: Suddenly bikes with 5 water bottle mounts make sense
  • 30 0
 Old Claudio and Warner are prime flu fodder , it’s worth it to keep them safe Rolleyes
  • 7 0
 As Warner hasn't died from various viral infections by now... He does stand a good chance. It'll just Warner left commentating on 'roach racing.
  • 4 1
 Warner is the Pete Doherty of cycling. Would take a freight train to take him out!
  • 1 1
 Take it easy there, guys in their forties, fifties and even sixties, have approximately the same risk of complications as elite-level folks. A little eager to place them in the retirement home are ya?
  • 4 0
 @DavidGuerra: Hitting a little too close to home? :-) I'm in my fifties, and even *I* like making fun of Warner's age - probably because he tries so hard and so transparently (and ineffectively) to look younger than he is.
  • 2 0
 @MtbSince84: Maybe a little yeah, but basically from the age-complications chart that has been circulating around. So it's a fact-backed rant.
  • 1 0
 @MtbSince84: Of course, if we are talking about physical performance that's another thing, although there are athletes in their forties who are in fantastic shape, like Tomi Misser.
  • 1 0
 @DavidGuerra: I appreciate you bringing the facts - it's needed. [Won't stop me taking the piss, though. :-) ]
  • 1 0
 @MtbSince84: Yeah facts are important, for both of us, from what I have seen getting the virus shouldn't be too harmful, but I don't know how reliable these are. It shouldn't be pleasant that's for sure, maybe that's bound to happen anyway, with all this talk I'm even curious to get it.
  • 32 3
 Don’t cancel it, just don’t allow spectators like they are doing in formula one
  • 12 5
 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. The UCi is being reasonable in leaving decisions to host nations but it also conveniently removes any responsibility on their part, hope they show support for the venues.
  • 4 0
 @simonusedtoskate: exactly. The venue pays UCI to host the event. It’s existence relies on spectators to show up, unless UCI agreed to give it to the venue for free
  • 32 0
 @simonusedtoskate:
"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.
  • 29 0
 @simonusedtoskate: I read your name as Simon Used To Be Kate....
  • 3 0
 @mr-ed: there you go being reasonable for use of public funds.
  • 2 0
 @kleinblake: The venue hosts the UCI not to get money from spectators. It's an investment in tourism if anything
  • 3 1
 @simonusedtoskate: I live in Fort William and often have work involved with the WC. If the WC is cancelled it could be a massive blow to the company and the chances of races there in the future. Along with management decisions , the winters in Scotland are becoming less reliable which in turn results in a decline in profits. Now if you loose the most profitable weekend of the summer, I feel like it could mean dramatic cutbacks that could lead to the loss of Fort William as a future world cup venue.
  • 2 0
 @spaced: who is going to be the tourist if spectators are not allowed to be there?
  • 4 2
 @kleinblake: jesus. UCI closed the finish and start areas for Paris Nice road race. A much bigger event than UCI Downhill WC. People can still be trackside because the density of spectators is lower. Same here. Close finish and start areas, keep the rest.
  • 1 1
 @mr-ed: depends what type of insurance. You can take out an insurance for cancellation of the event or loss of income. I know of a large international event that has an insurance for the former but not the latter.
  • 2 0
 @simonusedtoskate: "I doubt that’s financially viable for the venue" Hum, in comparison to NO EVENT, and with most of the investment made already, you think that's the least financially viable option??
  • 2 0
 @spaced: reading the release it doesn’t seem like this was a UCI decision. It looks like this was something brought on by the local health authorities in Portugal.
  • 22 0
 No!!! I've been waiting all winter for the epic Bruni/Pierron battle of 2020!
  • 26 23
 and gwin's comeback to the top spot on the podium
  • 18 2
 @nicfugere: Ahhh...okay. I was thinking he'd be lucky to get a few top 5s personally, but hope springs eternal.
  • 13 17
flag tobiusmaximum (Mar 10, 2020 at 14:29) (Below Threshold)
 @nicfugere: best of luck with that. #nothappening
  • 1 0
 I've been waiting for the first trip in the last 3 years... So I still hope this is BS and they find a solution like closing the finish area but hosting the race.
  • 9 9
 @tobiusmaximum: Could you do much better than Gwin? #keyboardwarrior
  • 7 6
 @jonesy-1: what an absolutely ridiculous thing to say.
  • 7 10
 @tobiusmaximum: just sounds like your bashing Gwin for no reason, just because he hasn't won a world cup in little over 1 year makes him not capable of taking the top step of the podium? Keep bashing the keys mate, we all know that you can ride better than Gwin himself!!!
  • 18 4
 @jonesy-1: oh god, here we go. Right, firstly you seem like you were desperate to call someone a keyboard warrior. But whatever, that’s all fun and games. People judge sportspeople all the time, they aren’t the public, they get paid for their ranking and standing against other pros. It’s like saying you have to enjoy every film because they can act better than you. Don’t be butthurt, Gwin isn’t.

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?
  • 1 1
 @tobiusmaximum: This could get interesting, get real weird with it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv8MX5ApZ8U
  • 3 5
 @tobiusmaximum: Lol, desperate to call someone a keyboard warrior (seen plenty of them mate especially on PB!)I completely understand your perspective, I just don't like when people rule out riders especially riders like Gwin who have won the overall and multiple WC. Just because they've had a bad season and are up against top riders as you said Loic,etc, it shouldn't mean that you rule them out just yet! I'm sure Gwin is up to the task bro! #havefaith
  • 4 4
 @jonesy-1: okay sure, I love a good comeback! I’d be more than happy for Gwin to put a cat amongst the pigeons and stand on the top step, I just don’t think it’s that likely to happen. I thoroughly enjoyed his performance at the Worlds and maybe he still has it in him, but the young french duo are devastating on the day.
  • 3 0
 @tobiusmaximum: haven’t you learned anything from Greg Minnaar in the last decade? He’s been smoking dudes half his ages for years. Gwin still has the same potential and for sure not the last time seen on a top step.
  • 1 0
 @parisgore: so you want to take the wager then? i'm good to my word, i will pay up if i lose. 50dollars says Gwin won't win a race this season (or the next 8 races if some are postponed)

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?)
  • 1 0
 @tobiusmaximum: hmmm that's a pretty good bet haha. deal. How about loser donates $50 to a good cause, I'll handshake on that. I just don't need $50. Just saying Greg even today is still a threat, I wouldn't count Gwin out for a while.
  • 1 0
 @parisgore: maybe you're right, thats what makes it exciting though Smile so every race i'll be half rooting for Gwin to pull off an incredible Tiger Woods comeback and half hoping he doesn't so i don't have to cough up lol.

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)
  • 21 0
 run it on Zwift!
  • 26 7
 Has the grim donut episode 2 been cancelled as well?????????
  • 10 0
 The real concern here!
  • 19 1
 Fuck.
  • 13 2
 With no racing this year does that mean we get to watch more and more 'athletes' earning a living without needing to race but posting videos having loads of fun and shredding and schralping through their local woods in 25min 'raw edits'. While surreptitiously promoting one of the major bike brands new Ebike.
  • 5 7
 If you this is all you look forward to you need to get a life, go a ride, build, ride again instead of bitching about something you have no control over
  • 6 0
 @d-man: can I bitch about if this is my first real holiday in 3 years and it's too late to get my money back?
  • 3 3
 E-bikes are like coronavirus. Contagious, but not that deadly.
  • 6 1
 On the plus side... with no racing this year, the Athertons might get their bike into production.
  • 17 5
 Corona WC Team to take the first win of the season. Where were they on the Fantasy list?
  • 13 0
 Just use Thoughts and Prayers!
#thecommoncure
  • 4 2
 Haha dick head evangelists are responsible of the viral expansion in East France after a week of thoughts and prayers...
  • 10 1
 Pinkbike: Lousa World Cup Cancelled.
Also Pinkbike: The UCI nor event organizers have made an official statement on the Lousã World Cup, specifically,
  • 2 0
 It's already on the Lousã "Councils" (not sure what the english term is) facebook page. A bunch of other activities were also cancelled until further notice. So, it's pretty official (just use a translator and you'll get the idea) Frown
www.facebook.com/municipiolousa/photos/a.152355028143637/2854678507911262/?type=3&theater
  • 1 1
 @sadfusde: the council recommends the cancelation. Other events are cancelled but this is just a suggestion. There are 2 separate parts of the list. FFs You're Portuguese and you didnt understand it?
  • 1 0
 @spaced: In Portugal people like reasons not to
  • 5 0
 @spaced: Dude, why the h*ll are you talking like that? They are closing schools, all mass gathering events, public services and pretty much everything else. If you believe this will go forward, you're being naive.. SMH
  • 1 2
 @sadfusde: I did not say I believe it will go forward. I just don't like where people post false info. Also there are other events that still take place around the world, even in countries with more infections. Look at Paris Nice road race.
  • 8 0
 @spaced: Tbh, I sure hope this won't go forward. As much as I love DH, and as much as I would love for my country to host its first ever WC, this is not the right time. We have clear proof that underestimating this virus can bring huge consequences. We really need to stop testing how far we can push without consequences, it's too much of a huge price to pay when things go wrong...
  • 9 0
 I am very sad, I was looking forward so much to the start of the season. But this is the reasonable decision at this time IMO.
  • 7 0
 "lessons from the past: In the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak, St. Louis cancelled its public events while Philadelphia proceeded with a 200,000 person parade." mobile.twitter.com/luckytran/status/1237071771334889472 && original research/analysis www.pnas.org/content/104/18/7582.long
  • 4 0
 It hasn't hit us very badly so far, so, we might still have a chance of getting the control back. Still, there are some stupid heads going around, like there's nothing going on, ignoring every piece of advice given by the authorities. The graph you shared will come in hand when people come with stupid stats again
  • 2 1
 the thing is not all events are cancelled. So far they are cancelled at random.
  • 3 3
 That graph scares the shit out of me...
  • 1 1
 Interesting. It basically says restrictions worked short term to limit 1918 flu casualties, but long term the casualties were only postponed until after the restrictions were lifted.
  • 2 0
 @dthomp325: Correct, the report calls out that after the restrictions in St. Louis were lifted death rates increased.

"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"
  • 2 0
 "Exponential growth and epidemics"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kas0tIxDvrg
  • 3 0
 @dthomp325: This is part of the point of delay - spreading the infections out over a longer time period so that the hospitals have a better chance of coping.

This thread makes for interesting/grim reading from a medic in Italy: twitter.com/silviast9/status/1236933818654896129
  • 5 5
 @GrandMasterOrge: With all due (regular) respect (to all humans), Italians are causing panic and shit to themselves. They have "I'll take stuff in my own hands" culture and these are the results. My sister in law lives in Trentino, her hubbie is Italian and they both seem to be losing their minds. Tehy left Italy because they are afraid of Corona... fk me... what a wonderful idea. One of folks from their family was meant to travel to Germany so he fkng went at night to omit the road block because he didn't want to go to the doc to get the paper stating he is healthy. Sorry... aside of that mental fk up they have high mortality rate and you should know why. Only thing average Italian should hope for is to not need acute medical care due to actually dangerous disease or health problem or accident becase hispitals may be swarmed by overreacting idiots. Which is described by other Italian doctors on Twitter... meanwhile population gets more and more obese and they drive like idiots. And go to church... if there's any better way for old peopele to get infected...

Meanwhile in Sweden, statement of NHS: X people infected, most people with common cold like symptoms, at worst mild influenza,
  • 1 2
 @WAKIdesigns:

Poles are no better. Basically everthing is cancelled. My old job coworkers are considering buying live chickens (seriously...)
  • 2 0
 @GrandMasterOrge: Yes, the recent news out of Italy is pretty grim. Not enough hospital beds, equipment, doctors and nurses to handle the surge. China has been releasing numbers saying 15% of infected required supplemental oxygen and 5% required full ventilation, which will push healthcare system to limits anywhere infection takes hold if true.
  • 1 2
 An actual epidemiologist on Joe Rogan... can we please act as educated people that is seek reliable sources of information?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3URhJx0NSw
  • 3 3
 Also I am shutting up now about this subject I just had a conversation with a colleague. He concluded we are going to have a 3rd world war now, he had a terrified look on his face, said Putin will exploit it... f*cking paranoia

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.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: speaking of Russia, only 20 reported cases, which I suspect isn't accurate gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

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.
  • 1 2
 @chacou: if you are looking for a prophet without a stain you are fkd... Joe Rogan possibly believes UFOs landed in Area 51. It doesn’t stop me from listening to his guests and fact checking them.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Thankfully, I'm not "looking for a prophet without a stain" and good on you to fact check Joe Rogan's guests on your own, I know too many people that just take whatever is spouted on his show as gospel
  • 3 0
 No Doom Porn Here...
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... tup
  • 1 2
 @chacou: over a few years of reading about nutrition and training I even found stuff (many coherent sources) proving what one of his most renowned gusts said was either half truth or complete horseshit. I am not dissing the whole range of professional expertize from Dr Rhonda patrick, but some off the stuff she said... like interminnent fasting builds muscle?! Many of his guests are contradicting or at least disagree with each other, particularly those working with training and coaching, there are common threads but some stuff is straight forward impossible to reconcile. Wim Hof? Bejesus... he got me into cold stuff, which has benefits but turns out, hos cold stuff is like 10% of what he sells and the rest is utter woo woo horseshit! What I value Joe for, is his show being an incredible platform for ideas and allowing their authors to explain who they are, what they mean. If you want a scientific idea sharing project that went wrong, look no further than TED Talk... but problem with this distrust is that sometimes it goes to far. There's threshold to anything. Yeah WHO can be a bunch of scumbags, but that's still a more reliable source of information than f*ckign Facebook or Pinkbike!
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcJDpV-igjs great interview, levelled and professional
  • 12 3
 Now imagine: You're from a very small country that eagerly awaits it's first DH world cup...only to have it cancelled.

What the actual f*uck,man!
  • 10 2
 thats what happens for leaving us in the 15 century
  • 17 1
 @Nicotrias: Actually it was in the 12th century,but hey,who's counting,right?
  • 1 1
 I get your pain. First longer holiday in 3 years, first world cup I've seen since 2012
  • 1 0
 True that and every thing else, and I even have a house near Lousã, was thinking about going there Sunday and probably still going as things in Lisbon are slowly really slowly getting out of hand...
  • 1 1
 @FCX250: It is a bit funny how the reacions in different countries differ. Some places are calm, some go apeshit. Too bad the panic is where the world cup was planned
  • 1 0
 @Nicotrias: one of the most underrated comments
  • 1 0
 @Nicotrias:
Aljubarrota moda fokaaaaa

Only a joke, sorry “amigo”
  • 3 0
 @spaced:
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
  • 7 0
 Imagine EWS is going to follow suit... bummer for all the athletes that have trained all winter for this.
  • 5 0
 This season will be a great opportunity for pro racers to stay home and support their local mtb scene. Maybe even some digging!
  • 4 0
 MotoGP has canceled/ postponed the first 2 rounds already. They'll have to run there races with no crowds I'd imagine. Things won't get better soon.
  • 1 0
 With the amount of support required to run a Moto GP I can’t see a closed race either - football is a little more simple but not motorsport with all the required mechanics, support staff, tv crew, etc etc - why should they all risk it if the risk is considered considerable enough that spectators shouldn’t.
  • 2 0
 Austin has been postponed as well now. With Ducati, Aprillia and Yamaha all based in Northern Italy and under quarantine there's little else Dorna/FIM can do. Although watching the Moto 2 riders headline on Sunday was ace.
  • 10 4
 First Cam Zink now this...what a time to be alive.
  • 3 1
 What happened to Zinc?
  • 13 6
 @azogas413: he drove a car and people weren't happy
  • 27 9
 @artistformlyknowasdan: first he did some ridiculous backflip attempt, then he delivered a bike to a guy who got knocked out within 40 seconds of starting a fight with an Irish bloke, now he played Top Gear driving a Porsche like a dickhead While his buddy rode a bike... can’t wait what’s next. He’s a gift that keeps giving.
  • 6 6
 @WAKIdesigns: I agree with you man, dude has lost it...too many concussions. I love Sensus grips, time to look elsewhere sadly.
  • 2 2
 @WAKIdesigns: Haha thanks for that.
  • 1 1
 i had no idea all his antics received such negative attention! where does one read about all this? i assumed all his BS was pretty harmless.
  • 1 0
 @cuban-b: comments section of a few posts down on the main page...
  • 5 0
 @artistformlyknowasdan: A solution to that would be if he let Semenuk drive the car.
  • 1 0
 @cuban-b: it was kinda irresponsible IMO what he did driving that 911...but I'm getting old
  • 2 0
 @fossydh: haha - then everyone would complain about how boring and effortless Semenuk made it look
  • 2 3
 @artistformlyknowasdan: we all do irresponsible shit from time to time, we may even film it, even post it... we just remove it after short consideration...
  • 5 1
 @WAKIdesigns: I'll sometimes eat a whole pan of brownies myself in a day...so I may not be a good barometer for responsibility
  • 1 1
 @WAKIdesigns: *go on...*
  • 6 0
 Seems sensible but doesn’t take the sting out of it
  • 7 1
 How about a race with only infected competitors?
  • 1 1
 Joke aside, if you are infected you can still get more of the virus and get worse. That would be a deadly reunion.
  • 1 1
 Do you think that Switzerland and Swiss won`t be affected by that? Swiss blockhaus culture probably.
  • 7 2
 Run it without spectators!
  • 2 1
 athletes and whole teams still have to travel, be accomodated somewhere, which is risky..
  • 7 1
 @darren853: Athletes are already there
  • 2 4
 Yes, no spectators or only the infected. Let's get into full panic mode, all riders have to ride in a fully micro biologic protection suit. Sell the event online and please improvise the cheering crowd behind the tapes with some robots which have motor saws. But be aware of mutations and don't forget to download the newest antivirus update before watching the stream.
  • 1 0
 @spaced: negative - plenty are yet to leave and much of the support like mechanics etc haven’t left yet.
  • 1 0
 @justanotherusername: to leave? To leave where? You mean plenty are to arrive? Loic is there, Danny Hart is there, Greg Minaar is there, Pierron is there. All of the top guys seem to be there. Most of the costs can't be recuperated either.

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.
  • 1 0
 @spaced: that’s right, many of the riders and support have not yet flown out to Portugal -depending on team structure / travel type I am sure some are already there (some have been testing there early) but of the teams I know of personally many of them are still at home, especially mechanics etc.
  • 1 1
 @justanotherusername: yeah some are but many are not including a ton of the bigger teams who will probably push for some solution. Especially that they can't really get money back for canceling this late.
  • 1 0
 @spaced: Of course they won’t push for ‘a solution’ - the race is postponed / cancelled and that’s that. Time go to home / elsewhere to train etc - just in the same way that weather could cancel a race it’s one of those things ‘an act of god’ if you will.

Maybe they will work towards closed racing but I doubt it, if this carries on the seasons over before it begins.
  • 3 1
 Run it with spectators, but no athletes. Remember how awesome Stevie Smith's ghostride was? That, but the whole event. #longlivechainsaw
  • 1 0
 @justanotherusername: they can't push post factum so yeah "that's that" but I bet there was some negotiation. Thinking there wasn't is foolish.

Also weather cancelling events? How often does that happen?
  • 1 0
 Pretty sure none of those who were at at Crankworx will be there yet.
  • 5 0
 Attention Aussies: I'm selling dunny paper, $20 a roll. Enquire within
  • 1 0
 Just use gov't bonds, or the US dollar bills
  • 2 0
 @Brasher do u even grift bro. Best I've seen is $300 for a roll on Gumtree
  • 1 1
 @browner: don't be an investment advisor when you grow up! Currency and bonds are the safe option in a crisis. Bond yields dip because people flock to them. They flock to them because they won't lose money.
  • 3 0
 @DirtyRider13: next your going to be telling me I shouldn't wipe my arse with bullion or something
  • 3 0
 NW Cup is still on as of today, so all you WC racers just come on back to Port Angeles for some Underworld Cup racing and get in that last little bit of suspension tuning.
  • 4 0
 A virus can not survive in a body that is 90% beer
  • 1 0
 Science!
  • 3 0
 I have toilet paper, Hand sanitizer and face masks and wNt to trade for carbon bikes and parts
  • 1 0
 Really sad but i guess it is necessary , was buzzing to see my first ever world cup live on site! hopefuly only postponed and not cancelled
  • 1 0
 if its postponed it's cancelled. I doubt many riders have the budget to pay to go to Lousa again and the cancellation if it happens tomorrow or later is too late to get money back
  • 2 2
 Fox has timing equipment right? So while everyone is still in Lousa pick a track and hold an impromptu race! Get all the video you can and make an edit for all us fans, please, pretty please :-)
  • 1 0
 On the plus side, it would be sick to have it the weekend after Andorra when everyone is close. Or in between Ft bill and Andorra. Probably too soon, but you never know...
  • 3 0
 Do we really think any of the euro rounds are occuring??!! I suspect not.
  • 5 1
 Oh piss flaps!
  • 2 0
 Anyone ever play a game called 'infected'? The exponential rate the virus can spread is insane.
  • 2 1
 I heard pornhub is also thinking about just showing masturbation clips because of the corona virus... the risk of gettin infected when 2 (or more) are at it is to high
  • 3 0
 AH NÃO!
  • 2 0
 sure there coming down the track so fast the coronavirus couldn't keep up
  • 5 2
 it's a shit fuck stack
  • 1 0
 If you follow the link to the Lousã website, you can clearly read (in Portuguese of course) that the race is off.
  • 2 0
 I followed and they "recommend" to postpone the race. Read carefully
  • 8 0
 @spaced: Sorry good sir, but I've read it again twice and "recommendation" isn't written anywhere. Probably a mistake during translation.
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.
  • 2 0
 I'll wait for the Sam Adams virus.
  • 2 0
 I hope Gwin makes Intense great agqin.
  • 2 0
 Locals probably bought all supplies of blog roll...
  • 1 0
 Blog roll? Stupid phone / operator...
  • 1 1
 @wallheater: hah is blog roll something off a YouTube channel?
  • 1 0
 @littleskull99: yeah people will YouTube anything these days!
  • 1 1
 Anyone surprised? I knew when I started paying attention to this in late December that the season was over.

Screwed over by Wu-Flu!
  • 10 0
 A Wu-han Flu ain't nuthin ta F* wit.
  • 1 0
 @lancemountainbike: ROFL!!!!!

And I thought "Train to Wuhan" was good. :-)
  • 2 0
 Everybody was kung flu fighting!
  • 1 0
 @BDKR: Wu Tang Forever
  • 3 1
 Just allow 4,999 spectators.
  • 1 0
 They say 75% of all humans will harbor the virus in the next 18 months. Most will beat it. Probably all avid cyclists will..
  • 1 0
 Statistical epidemiologist never sounded so sexy. Lay low, go fast, go build a trail.
  • 2 0
 can we call it Bat Aids yet?
  • 2 0
 Nice that you gave VitalMTB a little credit, as you always do. Wink
  • 1 0
 Sensible decision.
I wonder how many regional races will follow suit?
Be sensible, stay local and prevent the spread of 19.
  • 1 0
 This might play into some injured / recovering riders favour, to get more recovery time in, like Rachel Atherton.
  • 1 0
 And Tahnee.
  • 1 0
 @Jacquers: Tahnee is going to miss the whole 2020 season.
  • 1 0
 @fruitsd79: Probably. At this stage it looks like there might not be a 2020 season Frown
  • 1 0
 @pinkbike not the best day to promote the DH fantasy contest on the frontpage add.
  • 2 0
 Fantasy might just bee thee best description of this season... Frown
  • 1 0
 "the maximum organ of world cycling"........... i can think of a few of them :-)
  • 2 1
 ...... first time a world cup at portugal, then something like this happens... Surely is a very bad case of unfortune!!!!
  • 1 0
 Think so?Broken frame and lost 90eur on the deposit of the house was gonna rent for the weekend on Lousã.
Italians have it much worst atm thought,makes all this seem trivial.
  • 1 0
 I heard GT were sending their rider in to destroy the virus with his denim.
  • 1 0
 What about the EWS events .
  • 1 0
 Same thing! Another month and we're looking at better than a million infected and those are just the confirmed!
  • 1 1
 Sad as fuck, one week apart from the best race of the season, and this is what we get....
  • 1 0
 Masters of Dirt is also postponed. That's not funny for the organizers.
  • 4 4
 Seriously this is getting ridiculous!! Has the whole world gone mad because of a nasty little flu??
  • 6 0
 Please enlighten us, Dr Fleming.
  • 1 0
 I have covid-19 named in my dream team, do I win the overall now?
  • 1 0
 Snowshoe 2020 make up date!

#snowshoe2020makeupdate
  • 1 0
 Not looking forward to all fantasy league comments. 2020 is done.
  • 1 3
 just spent the last two days drinking and eating edibles while standing shoulder to shoulder with 47,0000+ people doing at least 50% of what I was doing while watching Rugby 7s tournament.....
  • 1 0
 Hide yo kids, hide yo wife, cause they are infecting everybody out here
  • 1 0
 Croatia, Italy, France and Austria will not be far behind sadly :-(
  • 1 0
 so everyone at Crankworx got sick?
  • 2 0
 Foda-se corona porrada
  • 1 0
 Panic suppresses immune system.......
  • 1 1
 After cancelling Motogp now this! This is utter BS! Bet they'll cancel the Olympics this year too...
  • 1 0
 Just have everyone in bio hazard suits. including the racers.
  • 2 0
 fuckin trump
  • 1 1
 f*cking Xi and Tedros from the WHO. The CCP started suppressing info about this in December from doctors (most of whom that are now dead) that mentioned that they started seeing this IN NOVEMBER!

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.
  • 1 0
 @BDKR: we have to keep the people on the ship. It's good for the numbers. Bigly.
  • 1 0
 Bugger.
  • 1 0
 Ghost Race!!
  • 1 1
 Just shift it to Fort William while you still can :'(
  • 1 0
 Hmmm all those biting insects......? Just a thought
  • 1 0
 @nojzilla: f*cking infested midges. If they carry it were all deed
  • 1 0
 @browner: Actually asked a BioMed friend about that and she says they don't so we are good to go !
  • 1 0
 Kurwa mać!
  • 1 0
 lol
  • 3 2
 Knew it!
  • 1 0
 Booo
  • 1 0
 Boooooooooo!
  • 1 0
 Lousy virus
  • 1 1
 Fucking BULLSHIT!!!
  • 1 2
 ffs
  • 3 5
 the coronavirus is black plague 2.0
  • 2 5
 Trump this is your fault man
  • 2 1
 More like Xi's fault! And that dick head Tedros that spent more time fellating Xi then slapping a hard border on China.
  • 1 0
 Save Us Joe Rogan!!!!
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