The Tour de France has been postponed by two months due to the coronavirus and will now get underway at the end of August, organisers ASO have confirmed.

The three-week stage race was due to take place from June 27 to July 19, but will now run from August 29 to September 20.

It comes after French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday that mass events may not be allowed in the country until mid-July.

A statement on the official race website said: "Initially scheduled to take place from the 27th June to the 19th July, the Tour de France will follow the same route, with no changes, from Nice to Paris. 

"Over the last few weeks, there has been constant communication between riders, teams, the organisers as well as other relevant third parties all with the support of the UCI, who are responsible for arranging a new global cycling schedule, in which the Tour de France takes pride of place.

"The organisers of the Tour de France are in regular contact with and have reached agreement with all of the different parties involved, from the local communities to the public authorities."

Colombian Egan Bernal won last year's race, one minute and 11 seconds ahead of 2018 winner Geraint Thomas.

The Giro d'Italia, the first Grand Tour of the season, has also been postponed, although a reschedule date is yet to be announced.