The status of this year's Tour de France has become more tenuous as the Critérium du Dauphiné has been postponed.
The one-week race was due to get underway on May 31.
ASO organise both the Criterium and Le Tour, and have taken the decision to postpone the former due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Critérium du Dauphiné is traditionally used as a barometer of form for the Tour de France.
The Grand Depart of this year's Tour is scheduled for Nice on June 27.
An ASO statement says they've made the decision to defer this year's Criterium in conjunction with UCI, as all cycling has been suspended until June 1.
They've added that they have, "decided to begin working to reschedule the race, originally scheduled to start from Clermont-Ferrand on the 31st May and run through to the 7th June.
"The organisers would like to thank the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region and all of the race partners for their understanding and their support as they work towards finding a new date for one of the most greatest races in the international cycling calendar."
ASO have reportedly set a deadline of May 15 to decide whether or not this year's Tour de France can go ahead.
French Minister of Sport Roxana Maracineau has floated the idea of the Tour going ahead - somehow - behind closed doors.
Maracineau told France Bleu that "The economic model of the Tour de France is not based on ticketing but on TV rights.
"During this period of confinement, everyone is being very careful and aware," Minister Maracineau added, "Everyone understands that they have to stay at home, therefore watching television rather than attending any live events.
"As a result, it wouldn't be too difficult to have to have to watch the Tour on television [rather than from the roadside]."
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