By Gareth James
British Cycling have cancelled the 2021 Tissot UCI Track Cycling Nations’ Cup in Newport, due to take place from 22-25 April 2021, because of the on-going COVID-19 situation.
The sport’s governing body said it had taken the decision early to give riders the chance to amend their plans as they look to build towards the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
But British Cycling did confirm that Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls will have their holding camp at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome in Newport.
“An early decision has been taken in the best interests of competing riders and nations, giving them sufficient time to adapt their plans as they begin their crucial final preparations ahead of this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo,” said a statement.
“Despite the best efforts of all stakeholders to ensure that the event could go ahead, in light of the continuing public health situation, and after careful consideration, Welsh Government could not, at this time, exercise its power under the current coronavirus restrictions regulations to authorise the event.
“British Cycling continues to support the ambitions of Newport and Wales to attract major international sporting events, and it remains the ambition of all event stakeholders to bring elite level cycling back to Wales in the near future.
“The Great Britain Cycling Team track riders will also be returning to the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales for their traditional pre-Olympic and Paralympic Games holding camps.
“Similarly, British Cycling looks forward to working alongside the UCI to support the inaugural Tissot UCI Track Cycling Nations’ Cup season and explore future opportunities to host international events in Britain – building on our proud track record of hosting the sport’s showpiece events.
British Cycling Head of Sport and Major Events, Jonathan Day, said: “We know that this has been an incredibly difficult decision and we fully understand the challenges which the Welsh Government faces in the ongoing fight against Covid-19.
“Our thanks go to all event stakeholders for their hard work on the event over recent months, and we look forward to returning to Wales in the near future – helping to bring new riders and fans into cycling and supporting the development of the sport across the country.”
Great Britain Cycling Team Performance Director, Stephen Park, said: “Our riders and staff are naturally disappointed with the news that the Tissot UCI Track Cycling Nations’ Cup in Newport has been cancelled, as they were all excited for the opportunity to race and to inspire the nation as we emerge from the pandemic.
“While there would have been no crowd, there is always a sense of pride in competing in the GB jersey on home soil.
“However, we respect the enormous public health challenges which the Welsh Government and indeed the whole country is currently facing, and would like to express our thanks to all event stakeholders for the work they have done to prepare for the event.
“The key strengths of our team include our resilience and our ability to be excellently prepared, and as such we have contingency plans in place to ensure we don’t lose momentum in our build up to Tokyo.
“The race simulation activity we hold in our regular training sessions is proving successful, and we continue our preparations for the Nations’ Cup rounds set to take place later in the year in Hong Kong and Colombia.”