Covid became the ‘ninth’ passenger in teams of eight cyclists participating in the Vuelta. That’s the ultimate concern for squads trying to hold on. mask use and they see strangers so many times; that is, to those who are not members of its structure, for example a real threat and some kind of candidate carrier of the virus, even if they are perfectly protected. Nine riders from the Spanish round so far have had to go home after testing positive in internal tests by each participating team.
There is no official record of these results. Neither the obligation of teams to communicate infections nor International Cycling Union (UCI) or the organization of the race requires them to make them public. This therefore raises some doubts. Can any team hide positivity when the presence of the virus is asymptomatic or with minimal discomfort that does not prevent the runner from performing well? It’s not the first time a manager or manager has raised this question. Moreover, unlike what happened in the beginning last year, there is no obligation to go further. clear withdrawal of a runner, unless the paramedics of the race consider the viral load to compromise the integrity of the platoon.
Guillaume Martin’s history
This was the case, for example, when Guillaume Martin, the leader of the Cofidis team, tested positive on the Tour. The cyclist wanted to continue racing because he felt he was ready to race beyond more or less mild symptoms. But the test doctors sent him home despite his complaints. Instead, the UAE, which has already suffered two deaths due to the coronavirus, was found to be the Polish corridor. Rafal Makkah, tested positive for an antigen, but felt completely fine and continued the race until he had to leave due to a blow to his knee. There was even a team that tried to persuade one of their leaders to continue the Tour despite testing positive. The cyclist chose to retreat. And so he came to Paris.
Protocols remain strict
In Vuelta, anti-contagion regulations and protocols for interacting with teams have been intensified. For example, journalists participating in the race had to take an antigen test in Utrecht before collecting credentials that allowed runners to access the restricted area at the start of the stages.
Some teams, but not all, bet their riders to sleep in separate rooms. However, this Monday will be another anxious rest day as the entire platoon will undergo anticovid testing. Nine riders have already been taken down, plus Jumbo’s great American climber Sepp Kuss retired this Sunday without any further symptoms due to a feverish condition. The Dutch team didn’t have to give it to them either.
Covid became the ‘ninth’ passenger in teams of eight cyclists participating in the Vuelta. That’s the ultimate concern for squads trying to hold on. mask use and they see strangers so many times; that is, to those who are not members of its structure, for example a real threat and some kind of candidate carrier of the virus, even if they are perfectly protected. Nine riders from the Spanish round so far have had to go home after testing positive in internal tests by each participating team.
There is no official record of these results. Neither the obligation of teams to communicate infections nor International Cycling Union (UCI) or the organization of the race requires them to make them public. This therefore raises some doubts. Can any team hide positivity when the presence of the virus is asymptomatic or with minimal discomfort that does not prevent the runner from performing well? It’s not the first time a manager or manager has raised this question. Moreover, unlike what happened in the beginning last year, there is no obligation to go further. clear withdrawal of a runner, unless the paramedics of the race consider the viral load to compromise the integrity of the platoon.
Guillaume Martin’s history
This was the case, for example, when Guillaume Martin, the leader of the Cofidis team, tested positive on the Tour. The cyclist wanted to continue racing because he felt he was ready to race beyond more or less mild symptoms. But the test doctors sent him home despite his complaints. Instead, the UAE, which has already suffered two deaths due to the coronavirus, was found to be the Polish corridor. Rafal Makkah, tested positive for an antigen, but felt completely fine and continued the race until he had to leave due to a blow to his knee. There was even a team that tried to persuade one of their leaders to continue the Tour despite testing positive. The cyclist chose to retreat. And so he came to Paris.
Protocols remain strict
In Vuelta, anti-contagion regulations and protocols for interacting with teams have been intensified. For example, journalists participating in the race had to take an antigen test in Utrecht before collecting credentials that allowed runners to access the restricted area at the start of the stages.
Some teams, but not all, bet their riders to sleep in separate rooms. However, this Monday will be another anxious rest day as the entire platoon will undergo anticovid testing. Nine riders have already been taken down, plus Jumbo’s great American climber Sepp Kuss retired this Sunday without any further symptoms due to a feverish condition. The Dutch team didn’t have to give it to them either.