Etape Loch Ness will not take place in 2020 due to impact of coronavirus pandemic

The biggest cycling event in the Highlands has been cancelled due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Organisers of Etape Loch Ness have confirmed the event will not go ahead this year.

Originally scheduled to take place on April 26, the event was postponed until September 13, but has now be called off for health and safety reasons due to Covid-19.

All entries will automatically be transferred to the 2021 Etape Loch Ness, taking place on April 25 and all entrants have been contacted by email with further information today.

Event director of Etape Loch Ness Malcolm Sutherland explained the decision.

He said: “The decision to cancel was not taken lightly but we feel it is the right decision to make to protect our participants, our volunteers and everyone involved, including emergency services and importantly our local community which has always been so supportive.

“The Etape Loch Ness is a highlight of the cycling calendar in Scotland and beyond, and with the current social distancing measures and other restrictions in place would simply not be the same Etape that we all love. Instead, we will put our energy into making the Etape Loch Ness 2021 the best it can be.

“Our decision to cancel the event at this stage is also based on the training required to prepare for the event. We are also mindful that many participants were planning to use the event to raise money for charities and we will be working with our charity partner, Macmillan Cancer Support, to maximise fundraising in 2021."

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