The Belgian Cycling Federation has tightened the COVID-19 protocol for cyclo-cross races, requiring riders to prove they test negative for the virus before being allowed to compete.

The stricter rules, which also cover team staff, race officials, and the media, will be enforced for the first time at next Saturday's Urban Cross in Kortrijk.

The new rules are stricter than the UCI protocol and teams will have to undergo far more COVID-19 inspections. Fortunately, a rapid test has been approved in Belgium, rather than the PCR swab test used in most road races.

Belgium became one of the first European countries to be hit by the second wave of COVID-19 infections after a large number of cases in the first wave in the spring The public was told to stay home for the one-day classic in October The number of COVID-19 cases is currently on the decline, but in the past seven days In the past seven days, 4,165 infections have been confirmed and 171 deaths have occurred. In Belgium, an alert was issued on October 30 and schools opened on November 15.

The Telenet Baloise Lions team, led by Sven Nys, is planning to set up its own rapid testing stations near each race venue and expects to spend about 15,000 euros in additional costs during the season.

"Before each cross, we will set up our own "corona test station" in an enclosed space, on the way to or near the location of the match in question," Nys told Het Laatste Nieuws.

"All team members involved in the race, including team managers, caregivers, mechanics, and members of the press, will undergo a quick examination by team doctor Jan Mathieu. If negative, the person concerned will be allowed to participate in the race.

Inspections will be timed according to the race program to avoid contact between staff members.

"This ensures that the procedure is as safe and corona-free as possible," Nys said.

"The financial aspect is not irrelevant either, with an extra initial cost of about 15,000 euros.

The Belgian Federation's rules also affect the number of race staff.

Riders are limited to a helper when they line up for a race, and only the top 30 riders are allowed two mechanics in the pit lane. Elite riders without contracts are not allowed to race.

The cyclocross season started a few weeks ago, with Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) returning to racing next weekend and Mathieu van der Poel at Scheldecross in Antwerpen on December 12. The cyclocross season will start with the Scheldecross in Antwerpen on December 12.

Five World Cup races, the Telenet Superprestige and X2O Trophy Series, and the World Championships will be held over the next 10 weeks under strict protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The Superprestige took place in Gieten in October and continues today on the new Merksplas course. The former Hoograten round was scheduled to debut in February at Merksplas, 10 km away, but the race was cancelled due to severe winter storms.

North American racers such as Katie Compton, Mahalee Rochette, Rebecca Farringer, Clara Honsinger, Ruby West, Katie Keogh, and Curtis White arrived for the Melkspurath Round.

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