Rigoberto Urán (EF Pro Cycling) has resumed outdoor training after being confined for more than nine weeks due to Colombia's COVID-19 coronavirus restrictions. According to a report in Marca, Uran's main target in the late-season calendar changes will be the Tour de France. (Open in new tab)

"It's really good to be back on the road. It's beautiful, but also a little strange. You hardly see any cars or cyclists," Uran told a Spanish newspaper, stressing that being able to ride outside felt like a blessing, motivating and giving him the happiness he needed in these unprecedented times.

Uran had just returned to winter training after being seriously injured in a crash at the Vuelta a España last September, and raced in February's Tour Colombia 2.1 before a coronavirus pandemic interrupted the competition.

This week, he was seen training in the mountains outside Medellín and in Colombia's Antioquia region.

The Colombian government, along with Nairo Quintana (Arkea Samsic), Egan Bernal (Team Ineos), Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates), Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana), and Sergio Iguita (EF Pro Cycling), have been training with Ulan The UAE has given special permission for professional riders such as Uran to train outside.

Only about 50 high-level athletes have been granted such permission. According to Colombian President Ivan Duque, the protocol is designed to allow athletes to regain their training capacity for major races at the end of the season.

"The concern of the Colombian cyclists was that they would not be able to train. We said, 'You will be at a disadvantage,'" Uran said.

Uran cited the Tour de France as his main training goal before going to Europe.

The Colombian government banned all international flights until August 31, but the Colombian Cycling Federation requested permission to secure charter flights to carry professional riders to Europe for the August 1 opening of the World Tour race season.

On May 5, the UCI announced the World Tour late season calendar, which includes three Grand Tours, the Tour de France (August 29-September 20), the Giro d'Italia (October 3-25), and the Vuelta a España (October 20-November 8), plus major one-day races was announced.

Urán told Marca earlier this month that the Tour de France is one of his three main goals, along with the World Championships (September 20-27) and a rescheduled classic race or Vuelta a España (October 20-November 8) in October.

Urán said that he sees no problem with traveling to Europe by charter flight, and that the Ministry of Sport, the teams, the Colombian Cycling Federation, and professional cyclists are working together to find the best dates.

"We are working and examining what the best date options are to travel," Uran said.