Mathieu van der Pol (Alpecin-Phoenix) could resume his road season at the Sibiu Cycling Tour, a UCI 2.1 ranked stage race in Romania on July 23. However, the team's participation depends on the lifting of restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including a two-week quarantine of travelers from the Netherlands and Belgium. According to [AD.nl (opens in new tab)], team manager Michel Cornelisse hopes to rebuild the team for the four-day, five-stage race from July 23 to 26. Originally scheduled for July 2-5, the race was postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak.

The winner of the Amstel Gold Race is now on a schedule that includes Strada Bianche (August 1), Milano-Torino (August 5), Milano-Sanremo (August 8), Gran Piemonte (August 12), and Il Lombardia (August 15) in quick succession, Van der Pol should be in top form come August.

While this race may not be on the radar of casual cycling fans, past winners include last year's Tour de France winner Egan Bernal of Team Ineos (2017) and Ivan Sosa (2018).

"This year will be the 10th edition, and now that the entire cycling calendar has been turned upside down by the coronavirus, a prestigious team is coming to Romania," Cornelisse said. That includes Alpecin Phoenix with Mathieu van der Poel, of course, and Bora-Hansgrohe with German sprinters Pascal Ackermann and Leonard Kemna." The Israeli Startup Nation will also start a second team from the World Tour.

Van der Pol is looking to win at Strade Bianche, Cornelisse said. 'Today he arrives in La Plagne, France, for two weeks of high-altitude training. A few days after that high-altitude training, the Sibiu Cycling Tour will start with a 2.5 km prologue. This will be followed by a mountain stage, a transition stage, a short time trial and a flat stage. And Van der Pol should have enough race rhythm to lead the pack at Strade Bianche."

Other start lists include Giovanni Visconti (Vini Zabou) and 48-year-old Davide Rebellin, who once raced with Van der Poel's father Adlier.

The Alpecin Phoenix's entry depends on the progress of coronavirus mitigation in the country. The country is currently experiencing the second wave of the pandemic, with nearly 400 new cases occurring daily.

"The Romanian authorities have instituted a two-week self-quarantine period for anyone coming from the Netherlands or Belgium," Cornelisse says. 'It is still impossible to fly between the Netherlands or Belgium and Romania. The restrictions in Romania may be relaxed soon, but if the quarantine obligation remains, the chances of Alpecin-Phoenix making its first appearance are small."