Complacency greets self-isolating Gracie Elvin upon return

But the Mitchelton-Scott rider feels the future of cycling is now so uncertain she can't even contemplate going to the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games. If they go ahead.

Just four weeks ago Elvin was racing in Belgium as the Spring Classics were about to click into gear.

But when the coronavirus pandemic hit, first her team decided to pull the pin on racing for the health of their riders. And then the riders themselves decided to return home from Spain.

That's why she's more than halfway through her 14-day isolation. Grateful that her parents had stocked their Canberra townhouse with food and headed to the coast.

Also grateful that her teammate Sarah Roy had joined her in Canberra so she didn't have to be alone. Self isolating together.

MORE CANBERRA SPORT

Along with a cupboard full of food, Elvin's parents also had some gym equipment. And some friends dropped off a couple of home trainers on their doorstep so they could keep training.

But what Elvin witnessed in Spain before returning left her shocked. There she wasn't even allowed to go out riding the social restrictions were so severe.

Nearby in Italy things were much worse. More than 8000 people dead.

But that's not why Elvin was shocked. She was shocked because Australia didn't seem to be taking it seriously. Seemed to be taking too long to act.

While Elvin admitted part of Australia's attitude was due to the fact the virus arrived later than in Spain, she still felt there was a lack of urgency.

"We were coming from Spain and there was a lot of serious measures being taken there so we were already coming from an environment that had gone into lockdown and they were taking things very seriously," Elvin told Saturday Serve.

"All of our mentality was that we would also take it seriously being in Australia.

"So it was really strange coming from Europe and everyone being in lockdown and a lot of government control and police making sure everyone was doing the right thing of not letting people do much outside.

"You had to have a good reason to be outside and we weren't allowed to ride even.

"So coming back to Australia and landing and feeling like nothing had changed here was really strange because [it was] such a contrast in attitudes.

"Sure the infection rate was behind in Australia compared with Europe, but because of what had happened in Italy and a couple of other countries nearby like Spain - it was happening quickly and they were saying they regretted not taking action earlier - so it just seemed crazy to us that Australia couldn't learn from those mistakes and take action sooner.

"I'm aware it takes time to make decisions ... but coming from Europe and being a part of that and then coming here was a bit disappointing actually."

While Australia might have let her down, she was thrilled by the response of her Mitchelton-Scott team and the Australian Olympic Committee. Both acted respectively before the UCI and the International Olympic Committee in pulling the pin on competing.

She couldn't see how the Tokyo Olympics could possibly have gone ahead and backed the call to call it off.

Elvin would've been in contention to make the Australian team for the road race, but with the pandemic having massive financial repercussions around the world she's not sure how cycling will look post the COVID-19 virus.

Let alone if she'll be competing at the Olympics. She might not even have a job in cycling then. Sponsors might not be able to continue. Impacting the future of every rider in the peloton. She only has eyes for the now. And the four walls surrounding her.

"There's other things outside of our control that can also affect things. Such as a lot less teams that will have sponsors potentially," Elvin said.

"There could be a lot less jobs in cycling. So even if I did want to ride next year, a lot like most other riders who weren't going to retire, there could just be a lot less teams.

"So I don't know what next year is going to look like and the Olympics is really not my priority of thinking at the moment."