The 2020 Plymouth Classic, scheduled for late September, has been cancelled due to the Belgian race being held on the final weekend of the Tour de France (i.e., sponsors are not guaranteed television coverage of the one-day race) and VIP activities due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Due to the uncertainty of organizing the race, it has been cancelled, race organizer and former professional Peter Van Petegem told Belgian media.

The Plymouth Classic Impanis Van Petegem was one of the few races to remain on the UCI calendar for 2020, and this year it was scheduled to take place on September 19, or the weekend before the men's world championship road race, which the race favors as a warm-up.

Last season, Trek-Segafredo's Edward Theuns won this UCI 1. pro ranked event in a group sprint ahead of Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Jasper De Baist (Lotto-Soudal).

Due to the prevalence of COVID-19, the UCI calendar this season changed the Tour de France from July to a late summer slot from August 29 to September 20.

"It means little or no TV coverage, and we can no longer guarantee the promised contracts with sponsors," explained two-time Tour de Flanders and 2003 Paris-Roubaix winner Peter van Peteghem to Het Nieuwsblad on Tuesday. He explained.

"The uncertainty of the VIP event also dictated this choice," he added, adding that the ongoing uncertainty regarding the coronavirus pandemic has put organizers in the difficult position of being unable to arrange social activities around the event.

"The 10th edition of this event deserves a lavish party. In 2021, the race will be held the week before the World Championships in Belgium."