Turkey is facing a serious health crisis as covid-19 cases rise, creating a tense backdrop for the Switzerland tour. Just fifteen days before the event began, several riders aligned with the French tour to take additional Covid tests this Friday, with testing results pending a full update. By late Friday, most teams were reporting positives or close exposure, save for a few who managed to stay mostly unaffected. The situation prompted a rapid rethink about travel plans and competition readiness, since many participants and staff had already started preparing for the Swiss route. With the exception of a handful of setbacks, the overall mood remained cautious as teams prepared for the next crucial phase of preparation before the tour officially starts.
Following an emergency morning meeting before the sixth stage, organizers emphasized continued testing and a reassessment scheduled for Saturday to determine if the virus impacted the field directly or indirectly. When four teams completed their antigen tests, several squads chose to depart early as a precaution, given that both riders and support staff were affected within the ranks. The teams that withdrew entirely from the Swiss tour included Jumbo, UEA, Bahrain, and Alpecin, signaling a wave of caution across the peloton as the race approached.
main reason
The withdrawals did not imply every team member was infected. Rather, the majority decided to exit as a precaution with the event looming. With the start date now approaching, a number of notable riders and staff members, including figures like Tadej Pogacar, Primoz Roglic, and Mathieu van der Poel, as well as Swiss-based directors, masseurs, and mechanics, chose to return home to minimize risk. The focus remained on protecting the health of the field while preserving the integrity of the competition set to begin on July 1.
Adam Yates, a strong contender for Ineos in the race, was among the first to retire after testing positive. A Russian rider also headed home as part of a protest against testing practices, due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding Ukraine. Alexander Vlasov, who had led the race after Thursday’s stage, remained in the competition town while continuing to train, though the team faced ongoing disruption in this volatile period. EF’s squad stayed in Switzerland, with four fatalities noted in the broader region contributing to a climate of heightened caution. Movistar reported the absence of its leader, Alex Aranburu, due to heat-related illness rather than illness from infection. Quick Step Turbos posted a negative test after another round of antigen screening, signaling varied responses across teams. The overall mood centered on safeguarding the health of athletes and staff while maintaining the integrity of the competition.
over 30 degrees
The heat added another layer of difficulty as temperatures rose above 30 degrees in the Swiss stage routes. After a race jury meeting that included organizers and team representatives, officials confirmed that the sixth stage would proceed as planned for the day. A new assessment was scheduled for Saturday to decide whether the stage would proceed in its current form. The Tour of Switzerland remains one of the few events that managed to run during the 2020 season, when many races were canceled due to quarantine restrictions and the broader disruption to global sport.
Jacob Fuglsang of Denmark led the early charge for the general classification, while Team Israel faced questions about whether Chris Froome could participate given his recent form. The sport continued to grapple with how to allocate points and keep competition dynamic, with relegation rules in the top category adding another layer of complexity for teams and riders. In an unusual note, the sixth stage passes through Visp, a Swiss town that hosts a vaccination facility used in Europe for Moderna-related work, highlighting the intersection of sport and public health in the current season. This race, like many others, has to balance intense athletic effort with the realities of global health and safety.