As the number of cases of COVID-19 infections in France soars, organizers of the Paris-Roubaix race are considering restrictive measures, including banning spectator access to the cobblestoned sections of the race in order to hold the men's and women's classics on October 25.

The coronavirus situation has steadily worsened in France in recent weeks, with daily case counts far exceeding those that shut down all racing in mid-March. In Compiègne, where the men's race will start, one-third of the students tested for COVID-19 at the local university were positive.

The seven-day average in the Oise department, where the race starts, is 109 per 100,000 population, while the Nord department, where the Roubaix velodrome is located, is approaching the highest alert level, exceeding 200 per 100,000 population. In France as a whole, 40% of ICUs are currently occupied by COVID-19 patients. [ASO spokesman Fabrice Tiano admitted to Belgium's Het Nieuwsblad newspaper that there is concern for Paris-Roubaix.

"It is true that the current coronavirus levels are not favorable, but Paris-Roubaix will go ahead for the time being. Compiègne will also start. We have not yet decided whether we will accept spectators from the public or not," Tiano said.

After France set a new record for the most COVID-19 in 24 hours on Wednesday, with 19,000, French President Emmanuel Macron said he would set new restrictions where the virus is most prevalent, including closing cafes and bars.

The race has already banned spectators from four of the most popular cobblestone sections and restricted admission to 1,000 people, including riders and staff, at the Roubaix Velodrome at the finish line.

Although the Vuelta a España is less threatening, the number of coronavirus cases in Spain is even higher than in France, especially in Madrid, where the final stage will be held on November 8, and in Basque, Aragon, Asturias, Cantabria, and Castilla y León. Although less densely populated areas are less affected, they are questionable.