UAE Tour cancelled after positive coronavirus tests

The Council did not identify anyone but said that all of the race participants, staff and organisers were being screened for the flu-like virus. "The decision has been taken to ensure protection of all the race's participants," the Council said in a statement, adding that "safety comes at the top of all priorities."

"The decision has been taken to ensure protection of all the race's participants," the Council said in a statement, adding that "safety comes at the top of all priorities."

The news means that Britain's Adam Yates has won the race.

Team Ineos rider Chris Froome had earlier taken to Twitter to say that all the riders were being tested at the hotel.

"It's a shame that the #UAETour has been cancelled but public health must come first," the Briton said.

"We are all awaiting testing and will remain at the hotel until further notice. I hope those affected make a speedy recovery and there aren't any further cases #coronavirus."

The Israel Start-Up Nation WorldTour team tweeted that "two suspected coronavirus cases were found in the teams' hotel".

Several teams also said the UCI World Tour race, which started on Sunday and was being led by Adam Yates, had been called off.

"We have taken note of the cancellation of the UAE Tour due to the occurrence of the coronavirus," the Dutch Jumbo-Visma team said on their Twitter feed.

"We wish all the people involved the very best, awaiting further developments."

The Italian Vini Zabu-KTM team said on Twitter: "In the hotel the local authorities are testing all the riders and the staff members #Coronavirus."

The Astana team said they were awaiting official communication from the race organisers.

Media reports said the official race hotel in Abu Dhabi was sealed off late on Thursday.

The new coronavirus COVID-19 has infected over 80,000 people and killed nearly 3,000, mostly in China.

The situation could have implications for the world track championships in Berlin. Danish rider Michael Morkov was at the UAE Tour until Wednesday and was due to join the Danish team in the German capital on Thursday, ahead of Sunday's madison.

A spokesperson from the British Cycling team in Berlin said the team doctor was liaising with the UCI medical team.

The last two stages of the UAE Tour had been scheduled to be staged from Al Ruwais to Al Mirfa (158 km) on Saturday and Al Maryah Island to Abu Dhabi (127 km) on Sunday.