Colombian President Iván Duque announced that more than 50 professional athletes will be allowed to train outdoors starting Monday. The majority of Colombia's professional cyclists have been forced to ride on turbo trainers in recent weeks due to the country's blockade by the coronavirus.1]

"The protocol is designed to allow them to recover their ability to train," Duque said in a televised address Saturday, according to

According to EFE (open in new tab). 'It's a very limited group. We are talking about about 50 athletes who are preparing for a big competition."

Tour de France champion Egan Bernal (Ineos) is one of the few athletes who has already received permission to train outdoors by special decree from the mayor of his hometown of Zipaquira; EFE announced in late April that Bernal and Zipaquira-based professionals Brandon Rivera ( Team Ineos), Camilo Castiblanco (Team Illuminate), Diego Vazquez (Colnago CM), and Dier Rincon (Focus Team VTT) reported that they had received permission to train outdoors, albeit with restrictions.

Bernal, Rivera, Castiblanco, Vazquez, and Rincon were only allowed to train in the area between 5 am and 8 am. If they trained together, they had to be at least 5 meters apart.

With Duque's announcement, Nairo Quintana (Arkea Samsic), Rigoberto Urán (EEF Education First), Miguel Ángel López (Astana), Sergio Igita (EEF Education First), and others returned from Europe in late March to The outdoor training permit was extended to athletes based in other parts of Colombia who have been forced to stay in turbo trainers since their return from Europe in late March.

Colombia is one of a number of countries where athletes have been unable to train outdoors due to the COVID-19 blockade. Athletes from Italy, Spain, and Andorra returned to outdoor training last Monday after a lengthy hiatus, and French athletes can train outdoors starting this coming Monday.

The cycling season was interrupted in March by a coronavirus pandemic, but the UCI announced plans last week to resume competition on August 1. The postponed Tour de France is now set for August 29 to September 20, but the change in dates is contingent on the relaxation of restrictions on travel and gatherings in France.