The Grinch has stolen Crossmas for the many Belgian cyclocross fans looking forward to a Christmas week of racing and a potential head-to-head of Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel at the World Cup Dendermonde.
The Consultation Committee in Belgium delivered bad news for cyclocross fans in its attempt to slow the spread of Omicron.
In early December, the Consultation committee had banned the public from indoor events.
Supporter Jackets will be worn indoors, while on the couch, this holiday week. Photo: 2019 Cyclocross World Championships, Bogense, Denmark. © Taylor Kruse / Cyclocross Magazine
Unfortunately, with the spread of the Omicron variant, the committee has now banned the public fans from attending both inside and outside sports. With Christmas coming up, this will affect the heavy race “kerstperiode” schedule that happens during the holidays.
This ban puts the country in line with the Netherlands, which hosted the Rucphen World Cup without fans.
This audience ban will take place for UCI World Cup Dendermonde, Telenet Superprestige Heusden-Zolder, X2O Trofee Loenhout – Azencross, X2O Trofee Baal – GP Sven Nys, Grand Prix Garage Collé Pétange, Hexia Cyclocross Gullegem, X2O Trofee Herentals, and Belgian National Championships Middelkerke.
“There is a lot of uncertainty about the omicron variant, but with what we already know, we don’t want to take any risks. After all, the pressure on hospitals remains high. To keep that pressure on healthcare manageable and to allow schools to open on January 10 , we are taking additional measures.”(Translated) – Prime Minister De Croo said.
Eerste beslissingen overlegcomite vallen: Bioscopen, theaters, concertzalen sluiten. Geen binnenactiviteiten (uitgezonderd musea en sportactiviteiten) Geen publiek meer bij sportwedstrijden, binnen en buiten. #vrtnws
— Bart Verhulst 🤓 (@BartVerhulstVRT) December 22, 2021
According to sporza, “The Consultation Committee is taking stricter corona measures in the fight against the omicron variant.”(Translation) The order will take place this Sunday, 12/26/2021, and last till January 28th, 2022.
You can read the full story here.
