Reigning European road race champion Elia Viviani will not be allowed by his Cofidis trade team to compete for the Italian national team in the title defense in Plouët, France, on August 26. The sprinter will remain on the team's "bubble" for the start of the Tour de France in Nice on August 29.

The modified UEC Road European Championships elite men's road race will be held just three days before the start of the Tour, but this decision is less about its proximity than about the fact that the French WorldTour team riders, in the countdown to the start of La Grande Boucle, will have a coronavirus to ensure that they are as safe as possible from the risk.

"Due to the Cofidis decision, I will not be able to stand at the start of the next European Road Championships and defend my jersey," Viviani posted on social media on Tuesday.

"I am sorry, but I respect the team's choice. The team is first and foremost concerned about our health and keeping us fit in anticipation of the Tour de France.

"It's a big decision, but we don't want to take any risks," said Cofidis manager Cedric Vasseur, according to Het Nieuwsblad. 'Cofidis players have to stay within their own bubble. It is forbidden for Cofidis athletes and staff to change the environment for the Tour."

"Since the Tournament resumed, we have been testing [for COVID-19] regularly. 'It's all about preventing infections. Our top priority is to ensure the health of our athletes and to make the cycling season run as smoothly as possible."

The European Championships, to be held in Plouay from August 24-28, were originally scheduled to take place in Trento in mid-September, but in May the Italian city postponed the event until 2021 due to a coronavirus pandemic.