Organisers of the Gran Fondo Challenge Sri Lanka have announced that the event, which was set to run in the country’s capital Colombo April 5-7, has been postponed. Citing unspecified ‘security reasons’ and after what they described as a ‘long meeting with Sri Lankan government’ the decision was made to delay what was to be the first-ever Asian held UCI World Cycling Tour (UWCT) event. The potential of the Gran Fondo had been seen by the UCI as a testing ground for future events in the region with UCI Development Coordinator Andrea Marcellini previously commenting, ‘The potential Asia has is immense… In the next few years, we hope to help develop people’s interest in cycling by bringing at least two more UWCT Qualifiers.’ The postponement is an obvious blow to growth in Asia and to UCI plans. Full details of the refund methods for those already signed up to ride the three-day challenge can be found at granfondosrilanka.com