Authorities have confirmed that The UAE Tour is now cancelled after two team members are believed to have been infected with coronavirus.

Thursday night (February 27) reports began to appear that the race could be cancelled over health concerns because of coronavirus , with teams later confirming that the final two stages had been abandoned.

In a statement, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council said it had taken the decision to cancel UAE Tour after two cases of coronavirus were discovered.

The agency did not confirm which team, but said that the virus was checked by all riders, workers and organisers.

They stated “The Abu Dhabi Sports Council has cancelled the remaining rounds of the 2020 UAE Tour after two Italian participants had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19.

“The decision has been taken to ensure protection of all the race’s participants,” said the council, adding that ‘safety comes at the top of all priorities.’

“In the meantime, the Ministry of Health and Prevention said that all the Race’s participants, administrative staff and organisers will be examined through the continuous periodic screening being conducted, and all needed procedures, including quarantine measures, will be taken to ensure viral suppression and curb the spread of its outbreak in coordination with all health and other authorities concerned in the country.

“The ministry added that all the necessary precautions to ensure highly efficient preventive measures are being taken, including check-ups and observation of people in contact with patients, to guarantee protection of the society and its safety and preserve public trust.”

All riders in the United Arab Emirates will be evaluated and the race organiser RCS will provide us with information.

According to the Israel Start-Up Nation WorldTour team, there were two suspected cases of the virus in the riders ‘ hotel.

The team said: “We got an official word that two suspected coronavirus cases found in the the teams’s hotel in Abu Dhabi. UAE Tour canceled. We are all going to be checked for the virus in the next few hours.”

Earlier today, six new cases of the virus have been identified in the UAE which have brought the country’s total number to 19.

In the meantime, the continuation of the Berlin World Cycling Tracks Championships due to coronavirus has been questioned.

The UAE Tour was organised by Michael Mørkøv on Thursday with his Danish fellow-countrymen in the Berlin Velodrome.

There is no evidence yet that he has been infected, but the UK team has continued to liaise with UCI medical personnel about this situation.