Plans for the postponed Tour de France to be held in September are continuing, but it has been confirmed that the 2020 Paris-Bruges and Grand Prix de Flumi have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Grand Prix de Flumi was scheduled to take place on September 13. Organizer Jacques Thibault told La Voix du Nord (opens in new tab) that the COVID-19 protocol required to hold the race was "too restrictive" and also noted that UCI Pro Series events have limited TV exposure due to overlap with the Tour.

"There is a spectator limit of 5,000 and a strong requirement to wear masks. What criteria must be used to select the audience? First come, first served" or "Oldest?" Thibault told La Voie du Nord. Without the audience, there would be no festival. Without the audience, there is no festival.

Although the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, also scheduled for September 13, was cancelled, Thibault was aware that his race on the French-Belgian border would be overshadowed by the Tour de France, with a summit finish in Grand Colombier on the same day. He was also aware that it would be hidden.

"Along with that, the Grand Prix de Flumi would have been anecdotal. There would have been no regular television coverage, and publicity for the Flemis would have been nonexistent." [The GP de Fourmier was founded in 1928, and the only time it has been cancelled in the past was during World War II.

Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe) won last year's GP de Furmi, defeating Yasper Philipsen (UAE Team Emirates). Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ) was scheduled to participate again this year.

Early Thursday, Paris-Bruges organizers announced the cancellation of the 2020 event. This UCI 1.1 event was scheduled to take place on October 8, three days before Paris-Tours. [Laurent Planchon, president of L'Union Bourges Cher Cyclisme, told Le Berry Républicain that the race was canceled for economic reasons due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

"The main reason for this cancellation is economic. Many of our partners have been affected by the coronavirus crisis and it was difficult for them to accompany us this year."

Last year, Marc Sarrault (Groupama-FDJ) won Paris-Bruges. Past winners include Sam Bennett, John Degenkolb, Matt Heyman, Laurent Jalabert, Sean Kelly, and Cyril Guimard.

Pro cycling resumes in France on August 1 with the four-day Route d'Occitanie. The Mont Ventoux-Denivelle Challenge, Tour de l'Ain, Criterium du Dauphiné, French Championships, European Championships, and Bretagne Classics will also be held before the Tour's Grand Depart, scheduled for August 29 in Nice.