Racing was halted in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the suspension last month extended until August 1 for the UCI's WorldTour events, including the three Grand Tours.
But following a period of consultation with representatives of riders, organisers and teams, the UCI has laid out fresh plans for the conclusion of the season, which will see 25 events crammed into a little over three months.
The plans are subject to current social and travel restrictions being lifted, but the season is due to resume on August 1 with Strade Bianche in Tuscany, Italy, before finishing on November 8 with the conclusion of La Vuelta, which is now set to begin on October 20.
Spain's Grand Tour - initially set to start in mid-August - had been shortened by a weekend at the request of organisers, after the city of Utrecht in Netherlands declared it would not be able to meet conditions for the Grand Depart.
However, even with La Vuelta operating with a reduced schedule, it will overlap – as had been expected – with the Giro d'Italia, which is to run from October 3-25.
The Tour de France had already been confirmed to start on August 29 and finish on September 20.
UCI president David Lappartient said: "We have drawn up a solid, attractive and varied new calendar that is as realistic and coherent as possible. This has been achieved as early as was practicable and in line with information available today [Tuesday] concerning the evolution of the pandemic.
"Riders, teams and organisers now have the dates they need to anticipate the resumption of racing on August 1. This is a very important step that the entire cycling community, financially impacted by the pandemic, has been waiting for to move forward."
He added: "We will continue to move forward together towards the resumption of the season, nevertheless with the reminder that the health of riders and all concerned parties is still the overriding priority, and that the recommencement of our activities will remain dependent on the evolution of the world health situation."
The Women's WorldTour is also set to recommence on August 1, with its new schedule including 18 events.
Peters made a major breakthrough with a maiden grand tour stage win on last year's Giro d'Italia, as well as finishing third in a Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games test event.
The 26-year-old rides for the AG2R La Mondiale team and says his last test stemming from the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) ADAMS whereabouts system took place on October 7 last year.
He reported having a cortisolemia check carried out by the Movement for Credible Cycling (MPCC) union in March at the Paris-Nice race, but pointed out only certain teams belong and submit to testing by that body.
Like most sports, professional cycling has shut down during the COVID-19 crisis, with the Tour de France shunted back by two months to an August 29 start.
"What does it mean? Two options," wrote Peters on his personal website, considering the few doping checks he has been required to take.
"Either I have a profile that is not at all suspicious, which means I'm rarely tested, this is in effect the case since starting as a professional, where I was only checked three to four times a year.
"Or, and I'm very afraid of this, in this period of confinement there is no control!!!!!
"Let's not be naive, there is still doping, fortunately much less than in the years 1995 - 2005, but there will always be!
"Are cheaters free at the moment? It is as if we were told, 'Do you want to cheat? Well go for it! It's time, do what you want, take what you want, train like crazy at home now, you have until May 11 to get your engine going and crush everything when you return to competition'."
The Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation, which carries out testing in professional cycling, said in March it intended to be "continuing activities to protect clean cycling".
It said it would be following advice of WADA, which has said testing during the coronavirus period "will continue only where appropriate and possible".
Peters added: "I'm afraid for my sport, for my passion and for my end of the season facing mules!"
Just three days after announcing a suspension on all events until April 3, the UCI extended the hiatus in the calendar following a meeting with race organisers, teams and riders.
The resumption date will be reviewed during the intervening period, with events on the calendar at that point, the three Grand Tours and the sport's Monuments to be given priority in any rescheduling procedure.
The Giro d'Italia, which was due to start on May 9, has already been postponed, while the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and Liege-Bastogne-Liege - three of the five Monuments - will no longer take place as planned.
A UCI statement read: "With this decision, cycling wishes to be able to guarantee the visibility of our sport, which will find itself in competition with other major international sports events, while ensuring the best possible exposure for the most-viewed races.
"Moreover, the UCI would like to make clear that the men and women's road season may be extended until November 1, 2020.
"The principle of flexibility could also be envisaged when it comes to the number of cyclists entered by teams at events.
"These decisions will be submitted to the UCI management committee and the Professional Cycling Council (PCC) for approval.
"Finally, the UCI proposed that cycling's stakeholders hold regular meetings to better anticipate the resumption when the time comes.
"For disciplines other than road, the UCI will make a detailed announcement at a later date."
Mitchelton-Scott, Movistar, Astana and Jumbo-Visma were among a host of teams to pull out of races at the start of March due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The INEOS Grenadiers rider was trying to beat the previous mark of 55.548km set by his team-mate Dan Brigham in August.
Ganna achieved it in style as he finished with a distance of 56.792km, a full 1.244km ahead, achieving his feat at the Tissot Velodrome in Grenchen.
The double world time trial champion, who signed a four-year extension with INEOS in August, said: "To arrive at this amazing goal is fantastic for me, and all the INEOS Grenadiers staff who worked for a long time to arrive at this result. This result is amazing. 56.792 kilometres is not bad!
"Next time maybe I'll try in another part of the season with fresher legs and we can go higher again.
"This result is amazing. Now I'm thinking about recovery and trying to celebrate together with everyone here."
Brigham also congratulated Ganna on taking his record, saying: "A massive kudos to Filippo for that historic ride. I know the commitment, determination and work that's needed to put in a performance like that.
"It's fantastic that this ambitious project came together on the night. Having my record beaten by Filippo was always part of the plan and it's great to have such a deserving team-mate as the new record holder."
The incident happened at the Tour of Poland in August, with Groenewegen deviating from his line and nudging Dutch compatriot Jakobsen during a sprint for the finish.
Jumbo-Visma suspended Groenewegen from competing until the UCI made a ruling over any sanctions, with the governing body announcing its decision to impose a backdated ban on Wednesday.
"The UCI referred the case against the rider, who acknowledged that he deviated from his line and committed a violation of the UCI Regulations," read a statement.
"The rider collaborated with the investigation and accepted to serve a period of suspension until 7 May 2021, corresponding to a period of nine months from the date of the incident.
"The rider also accepted to take part in a number of events to the benefit of the cycling community."
Jakobsen spent a week in intensive care and has undergone facial surgery, with the 24-year-old on a long road to recovery.
Groenewegen, who had already apologised for his actions, posted on Instagram following the ruling.
"The crash in the first stage of the Tour of Poland will forever be a black page in my career," he said.
"During the sprint I deviated from my line. I am sorry, because I want to be a fair sprinter. The consequences were very unfortunate and serious.
"I am very aware of that and I hope this has been a wise lesson for every sprinter.
"I follow the news of Fabio's recovery very closely. I can only hope that one day he will return completely."
The Jumbo-Visma team said Groenewegen is "devastated" by this week's events and has acknowledged it was his mistake that caused fellow Dutchman Jakobsen to be hospitalised.
He appeared to nudge Jakobsen into the barriers in a high-speed sprint finish on Wednesday's opening stage of the race, and world governing body the UCI is looking at whether to discipline Groenewegen, which could mean a ban.
Jumbo-Visma said Groenewegen "broke a sports rule and that’s unacceptable", adding: "We have decided that Dylan will not start in a race until the judgment of the disciplinary committee to which the UCI has handed over the incident."
Speaking to Dutch TV channel NOS, Groenewegen said: "It is clearly my fault. I veered off course and it is not allowed. Thinking of sprinting is far from my concerns. I won't even think about cycling in the coming months."
Deceuninck-QuickStep rider Jakobsen, 23, has emerged from his coma after facial surgery and his condition has been described as "good" by race organisers.
Groenewegen said of the incident: "Everything went so fast... from one second to the next, I found myself on the ground and could only see the enormous damage caused by this fall.
"I saw Fabio's team-mates standing around him and I understood that this was serious. From that moment on, I can just hope that he will eventually recover. And apologise for this mistake.
"Of course, I hardly sleep any more. I think of Fabio and his family all the time."
The 27-year-old has promised to get in touch with those close to Jakobsen, saying: "I think it's not a good time yet. But of course, I will when the timing is a little better."
Deceuninck-QuickStep rider Jakobsen was in a serious but stable condition in a Katowice hospital after undergoing facial surgery, with doctors intending to wake the 23-year-old on Thursday.
Jakobsen was airlifted to hospital on Wednesday after fellow Dutchman Groenewegen appeared to nudge him into the barriers in a high-speed sprint finish on the opening stage of the race.
Jumbo-Wisma rider Groenewegen was disqualified and strongly condemned by governing body the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) for his "dangerous behaviour".
Groenewegen made a first public statement on Thursday, saying he felt for Jakobsen.
He posted on Twitter: "I hate what happened yesterday. I can't find the words to describe how sorry I am for Fabio and others who have fallen or been hit.
"At the moment, the health of Fabio is the most important thing. I think about him constantly."
Jumbo-Wisma issued an apology on Wednesday and said an internal review would take place.
"Our thoughts go out to Fabio Jakobsen and other people involved in today's terrible crash in the Tour of Poland. Crashes like these should not happen," the team tweeted.
"We offer our sincere apologies and we will discuss internally what has happened before we may make any further statement."
The 24-year-old last week stated that he is "totally against war" following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Sivakov revealed he had already wanted to become a French national before Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to invade Ukraine and cycling's world governing body has now sanctioned his switch.
"I was born in Italy and moved to France when I was one year old," Sivakov said. "France is where I grew up and was educated and where I fell in love with riding my bike which led me to racing. It feels like my home.
"I have wanted to become a French national for some time and had made the request to the UCI, but given what is happening in Ukraine at the moment, I wanted to fast-track this.
"I want to thank the UCI and the team at INEOS Grenadiers for supporting me with this process and helping make this a reality. To now have the opportunity to race as a French national in international events makes me incredibly happy.
"It would be a dream to race in Paris at the 2024 Olympics for France and this is something that the team have said they would fully support.
"As I have previously said, I am totally against this war and all my thoughts are with the Ukrainian people. Like most people around the world right now, I hope for peace and a swift end to the suffering happening in Ukraine."
Jakobsen was sent over the barriers during a sprint finish with Dylan Groenewegen, who was subsequently disqualified by the UCI for appearing to nudge his competitor.
Several other riders were injured after crashing as the barriers split and flew across the road, with Jakobsen airlifted to hospital where he was placed into an induced coma.
Deceuninck – Quick Step have now provided an update on their rider's condition.
"Fabio Jakobsen's situation is serious but at the moment he is stable," a statement from the team read.
"Diagnostic tests did not reveal brain or spinal injury, but because of the gravity of his multiple injuries, he is still kept in a comatose condition and has to remain closely monitored in the following days at the Wojewodzki Szpital in Katowice.
"Further information will be made available in the course of the coming hours. Meanwhile, we would like to thank you for your heartwarming support."
Prior to Deceuninck – Quick Step's update, UCI strongly condemned the actions of Team Jumbo-Wisma rider Groenewegen.
Jumbo-Wisma posted on Twitter to apologise for the incident and said an internal review will be taking place.
"Our thoughts go out to Fabio Jakobsen and other people involved in today's terrible crash in the Tour of Poland. Crashes like these should not happen," it read.
"We offer our sincere apologies and we will discuss internally what has happened before we may make any further statement. #TDP20."
Deceuninck-QuickStep rider Jakobsen was in a serious but stable condition after being airlifted to a hospital in Katowice following the incident on Wednesday.
The Dutchman underwent facial surgery and Deceuninck-QuickStep said doctors would try and wake the 23-year-old up on Thursday.
There was a positive update on his condition on Friday.
A tweet from the Tour of Poland account said: "We have good news from the hospital in Sosnowiec! @FabioJakobsen is awake now from the coma. Condition is 'good'."
Dylan Groenewegen apologised on Thursday after he was disqualified for causing the crash.
Jumbo-Wisma rider Groenewegen was strongly condemned by the International Cycling Union (UCI) for his "dangerous behaviour".
He posted on Twitter: "I hate what happened yesterday [Wednesday]. I can't find the words to describe how sorry I am for Fabio and others who have fallen or been hit.
"At the moment, the health of Fabio is the most important thing. I think about him constantly."
Jakobsen was placed in an induced coma after being airlifted to Wojewodzki Szpital in Katowice on Wednesday following the smash at the end of stage one.
Dylan Groenewegen was disqualified and strongly condemned by governing body the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) for "dangerous behaviour", having appeared to nudge his Dutch compatriot into the barriers in a sprint finish.
Tests revealed Jakobsen did not suffer brain or spinal injuries, but he remains in a coma following an operation and doctors will attempt to wake the 23-year-old up later on Thursday.
Deceuninck-QuickStep said in a statement: "Fabio had facial surgery during the night. His situation is stable at the moment and later today the doctors will try to wake Fabio up."
Jumbo-Wisma, Groenewegen's team, issued an apology and said an internal review will take place.
"Our thoughts go out to Fabio Jakobsen and other people involved in today's terrible crash in the Tour of Poland. Crashes like these should not happen," the team tweeted.
"We offer our sincere apologies and we will discuss internally what has happened before we may make any further statement. #TDP20."
The 2020 Tour begins on Saturday, yet competitors had been concerned by the threat of hasty removals in the event of positive COVID-19 tests.
The initial regulations stated an entire team and its staff would be expelled from the Tour if it had two individuals contract the virus.
But the UCI announced on Friday its rules had been "re-evaluated" for the Grand Tours, instead allowing race organisers to make the call.
Its update stated: "In the case of two or more riders from the same team testing positive for COVID-19 within a period of seven days at a Grand Tour, the UCI will give the event organiser authorisation to announce the withdrawal of the team for health reasons, on the condition, however, that the global medical assessment carried out confirm the positive cases."
The UCI has sought to ensure false positive tests do not rule riders or teams out of action as it calls for "complementary examinations" if initial results suggest a confirmed case.
"In the case of a positive test for COVID-19 during a Grand Tour, the organiser must do everything possible – but without being liable – to proceed as far as possible with a complementary test and a serological analysis before the following stage," the UCI said.
"These complementary examinations will be a very useful additional element in the global medical assessment, which will make it possible to evaluate the contagious character or not of the rider (or team member) and which will enable the regulatory measures to be applied."
If a rider or team member is confirmed positive for coronavirus or cannot carry out a second test, they "will be isolated according to the health regulations and will leave the event in question".
The UCI explained these adjustments "come from the desire to optimise the interpretation of a positive viral diagnostic test and confirm that it indeed corresponds with a recent coronavirus infection".
Groenewegen won the stage but was later disqualified from the race after Jakobsen was sent careering over the barriers during a sprint finish.
Several other riders were injured after crashing as the barriers split and flew across the road.
Deceuninck-Quick-Step rider Jakobsen was airlifted to hospital, as was a course-side referee, where he was later placed into an induced coma.
A statement from UCI read: "[The UCI] strongly condemns the dangerous behaviour of rider Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo-Wisma), who sent Fabio Jakobsen (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) into the barriers a few metres from the finish, causing a collective crash at the end of the first stage of the Tour of Poland.
"Groenewegen was disqualified from the race by the commissaires' panel.
"The UCI, which considers the behaviour unacceptable, immediately referred the matter to the Disciplinary Commission to request the imposition of sanctions commensurate with the seriousness of the facts.
"Our Federation is wholeheartedly with the affected riders."
Jumbo-Wisma posted on Twitter to apologise for the incident and said an internal review will be taking place.
"Our thoughts go out to Fabio Jakobsen and other people involved in today's terrible crash in the Tour of Poland. Crashes like these should not happen," it read.
"We offer our sincere apologies and we will discuss internally what has happened before we may make any further statement. #TDP20."
Deceuninck-Quickstep posted: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Fabio Jakobsen. When we have news, we will let you know. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support."
The Dutchman was charged with two counts of common assault at Kogarah Police Station following an alleged incident involving two teenage girls at a hotel on Saturday evening.
Van der Poel was granted conditional bail by New South Wales Police and will appear at Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old had been among the favourites to be crowned world champion in Wollongong, but withdrew with 230 kilometres to go after revealing he only got back to his hotel from the police station at 4am.
Christoph Roodhooft, boss of the Alpecin-Deceuninck team Van der Poul rides for, said: "It was really unexpected. Obviously there were children bouncing at his door [in the hotel] and after the third he was p***** off with them. He went out and it seemed like it was children, teenagers, and someone called the police and they asked him to go to give an explanation.
"He was asked by the police to tell them what happened, then he could sign [papers] and then he could go. There were children in the corridor playing and he went out to ask them to stop but obviously not in the right way."
Roodhooft added of Van der Poel's withdrawal from the race: "We didn't talk about the situation, but sporting wise he was really disappointed. He didn't sleep all night and mentally he was a bit broken. He was expecting a lot from today and he did everything he could in the last two months after his bad Tour de France. He found joy and happiness again in cycling and was hoping for a nice race again."
Prior to the start of the race, Van der Poel explained what had occurred the night before.
He told Sporza: "It's true, yes. There was a small dispute. It was about noisy neighbours and they are quite strict here. I went to bed early and many children in the hallway of my room found it necessary to knock on the door continuously.
"After a few times, I was done with it. I didn't ask so nicely to stop. Then the police were called, and I was taken. I wasn't back in my room until four o'clock."
NSW Police said in a statement: "About 10.40pm (Saturday 24 September 2022), a 27-year-old man was at a hotel on The Grand Parade, Brighton-Le-Sands, when he was allegedly involved in a verbal altercation with two teenage girls – aged 13 and 14.
"It's further alleged the man then pushed both teenagers, with one falling to the ground and the other being pushed into a wall causing a minor graze to her elbow.
"Officers from St George Police Area Command attended and arrested a 27-year-old man shortly after. He was taken to Kogarah Police Station and charged with two counts of common assault.
"He was granted conditional bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday 27 September 2022."
The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider was charged on two counts after an altercation with the pair, aged 13 and 14, whom he alleges to have been knocking on his hotel room door.
He was further fined 1,500 AUD (£909), though he has been allowed to leave the country following the return of his passport.
Van der Poel, who was taken into custody by New South Wales Police, intends to appeal against the conviction, according to his lawyer Michael Bowe.
"We went through the relevant events that occurred, he was arrested by police, was interviewed by police and said certain things to the police," he told Reuters.
"Mathieu agreed with some of those allegations. On discussing it was agreed he should plead guilty."
Belgium's Remco Evenepoel went on to win th World Championship on Sunday. Van der Poel, among the pre-race favourites, withdrew with 230 kilometres to go.
