Diego Ulissi, puncher for UAE Team Emirates, spent most of March in quarantine following a Covid 19 coronavirus outbreak on a UAE tour in late February.

The Italian returned to his home in Lugano, Switzerland, on Sunday to meet his newborn daughter for the first time. On Tuesday, he gave an interview to Il Tirreno, a newspaper in his native Tuscany, which was published on Tuttobiciweb (opens in new tab). Ulissi spoke about his time in isolation, the emotion of finally being home, and the incarceration measures affecting his home country.

"It was emotional," Ulissi said of his return home. Morale was very low during the last few days in Abu Dhabi. The virus is raging here in Switzerland.

"Seeing Arianna, Leah, and especially little Anna, born in early March, in my arms was one of the most beautiful moments of my life, an unforgettable scene of tenderness.

Ulissi finished 9th overall in the UAE Tour with a 4th place finish in Hatta Dam and 6th and 11th in the two Jebel Hafeet stages. The race was a strong start to 2020 for the 30-year-old, who finished second overall in the Tour Down Under.

Now, of course, his road racing future is uncertain. Ulissi's March was already ruined by quarantine before a string of race cancellations: after the fifth stage of the UAE Tour, he and his teammates were stopped by medical staff to be examined.

"Back at the hotel, we were immediately stopped by the medical staff and isolated from the UAE Team Emirates and other team riders. At the same time we were swabbed for the first time. [Unfortunately, Fernando Gaviria and Maxmiliano Richeze tested positive for the virus, so mandatory isolation began that day. In the meantime, there were three more tests, fortunately all negative.

Ulissi's first major goal for 2020 is now threatened. Even though the postponement of the Ardennes Classics has not yet been confirmed, it seems almost certain. Meanwhile, the Giro d'Italia in May has already been postponed.

The frustration of not being able to race and not knowing when one will be able to compete again will inevitably rise in the pro peloton as season goals are derailed.

For his part, Ulissi said the cancellation was necessary given the travel involved in the sport.

"The cancellation is sacrosanct and inevitable. It will be used to combat this terrible pandemic." We cyclists will be traveling around the world and staying in all kinds of hotels during the competition. We will come into contact with many people along the route and at our destinations, as well as with staff and close colleagues.

"As a result, the risk of spreading the virus is too great. I also think we have to accept the possibility that the 2020 cycling season will be permanently cancelled if it serves our health after a number of more or less important races have been postponed.

"Personally, I train regularly and here in Switzerland there are no restrictions on cycling for the time being."

In his native Italy, however, restrictions on mobility require riders to carry self-certification to train outdoors, but they still face abuse from ignorant car drivers and checks by the police. In Spain, on the other hand, they are only allowed to go out to do necessary work, to buy food, to need medical care, or to care for the vulnerable.

Ulissi denounced those who try to break Italian restrictions on Sunday.

"I think we are dealing with foolish criminals who are hurting themselves and others. 'We must obey the orders of our government. The only effective way to stop the spread of the coronavirus, for now, seems to be to stay indoors and not go out. [If you just can't sit still, I say to my fellow cyclists of all ages, do as I did. I did 14 days of turbo training in a hotel room in Abu Dhabi. Don't risk your life and the lives of others by playing with fire. That's my advice."

.