Group riding could return for cycling clubs in the UK as early as July as British Cycling announced its tentative plans to return racing and non-competitive events, like sportives, this summer.
On Wednesday, the national body revealed its framework for restarting regional and national racing, however confirmed all sanctioned cycling activity would still be suspended until 30th June.
'British Cycling can today provide an update on the current suspension of sanctioned cycling activity, which was due to run until 30th June 2020,' a statement read.
'While many of you have been enjoying the opportunity to ride recreationally, we appreciate that the cycling community is looking for direction and certainty on when club, group and competitive activity can resume.
'In the absence of specific dates from the UK and devolved Governments, which are naturally hard to set, British Cycling is seeking to balance the desire to return to sanctioned cycling activity, where safe to do so, and concern for the health of people in our sport and in wider society.'
While the suspension for all British Cycling-sanctioned events remains until the end of June, the ban on group riding has only been extended to 4th July with the body holding hope they can lift restrictions this summer.
British Cycling recognised club 'activities can be reintroduced at shorter notice, with a greater degree of flexibility, with appropriate guidance and measures to manage risk ensuring compliance with Government guidelines and emerging industry best practice.' Any changes would be given with two weeks' notice.
As for British Cycling-sanctioned racing, international and national-level races, such as the Tour Series, have been pushed back to 1st September with the body also recognising the most races are 'no longer feasible' in 2020.
Local racing, however, could return sooner with the body stating 'that regional races are more likely to return sooner due to shorter travel distances, fewer event personnel involved and the expectation that they will attract lower spectator numbers'. For now, the suspension of regional racing has been extended to 1st August with any changes coming with a two-week notice period.
This is also the first feasible date that British Cycling believes that sportives or non-competitive rides could also return.
Finally, there was also a glimmer of hope for the British time-trialling scene as it was stated that it could be 'possible that the racing format in some of the disciplines, for example, outdoor individual events, may return sooner than others if appropriate measures can be put in place to manage the risk in line with Government guidance and any guidance that we put in place.'
British Cycling added that all decisions had been made in conjunction with Scottish and Welsh Cycling and the caveat that all changes are subject to Government guidelines at the time.