The Heist Pile, which was scheduled to take place on August 1, was canceled after the local government imposed strict new measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The Kermesse was to have featured a star-studded start list including Alvaro Hodeg, Fabio Jacobsen (Deceuninck Quickstep), and Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo Visma).

On Monday, the Belgian prime minister canceled plans to reopen the country in response to a rise in coronavirus cases.

The province of Antwerp imposed a curfew from 11:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. and required the wearing of face masks. The Belgian government lowered the size of public gatherings to 100 indoors and 200 outdoors.

Heistse Pijl organizers wanted to hold the race "behind closed doors," but local authorities did not approve the event.

Race organizers hope to be able to postpone the race once the coronavirus situation improves.