The 2020 Japan Cup has been canceled due to a coronavirus outbreak. The Pro Series was scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 18.

The race, set in Utsunomiya Forest Park where the 1990 World Championships were held, has been held in October since 1992 as a season-ending event, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation for the first time Since 2010, Criterium is now held on the day before the Japan Cup.

The news of the Japan Cup cancellation was confirmed in a statement by Utsunomiya Mayor Eiichi Sato posted on the event website (opens in new tab).

"The 2020 Japan Cup Cycle Road Race, scheduled to take place from October 16-18, 2020, has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We ask for the understanding of all fans who were looking forward to the event. We will make every effort to further enhance the appeal of the event as Japan's only UCI Pro Series event, with the aim of holding the event next year in 2021. We would also like to ask for the continued support and cooperation of the competition organizations, related parties, sponsors, and the local community for the Japan Cup Cycle Road Race."

The coronavirus outbreak has already forced the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics until next year, and the interruption of the cycling season has forced the UCI to revise its late-season calendar.

The original UCI calendar had the Japan Cup clashing only with the Tour of Guansey, but the revised schedule now has it on the same day as the Tour of Flanders and also clashes with the Giro d'Italia.

Five WorldTour teams participated in the 2019 Japan Cup, with Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) finishing ahead of Michael Woods (EF Education First) just over a week after his solo victory at Il Lombardia.