Italy’s two one-day Monuments – Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Lombardy – have been moved to Sunday by race organiser RCS Sport.

The UCI confirmed on Wednesday that it had moved the two races to March 17 and October 7 respectively.

Now RCS Sport chief Michele Acquarone has explained the decision, citing less traffic on Italy’s roads on a Sunday, thereby making it easier to organise the required road closures, while Sunday races are thought to be more appealing to global television audiences.

And, from 2014, RCS Sport would like to run mass participation events on the same day as the races, with Sunday said to be “the perfect day for the project”, according to Acquarone.

The move has attracted criticism from some riders, including Fabian Cancellara, who believes the shift will leave too long between the end of the Tirreno-Adriatico stage race, which is traditionally used as preparation for Milan-San Remo, and La Classica di Primavera.

Acquarone has, however, hinted that a race will be organised for either the Thursday or Friday between Tirreno-Adriatico and Milan-San Remo in order to plug the gap.