The Tour de France has reintroduced protecting measures towards COVID-19, with race organisation, media and friends now required to put on masks wherever they arrive into contact with riders and workforce employees on the race.
Race organiser ASO introduced the protocol on Sunday morning following quite a lot of COVID-19 instances within the peloton in latest days. Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers), Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) and Michael Mørkøv (Astana-Qazaqstan) are among the many riders to have deserted the race after contracting the virus, whereas Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) stays within the Tour regardless of testing constructive for COVID-19.
Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) has been carrying a masks within the blended zone earlier than and after phases in latest days, and the Belgian has already referred to as on the organisation to implement extra stringent measures towards COVID-19.
“There are so many individuals at first and end. COVID would not simply enter the peloton, it comes from exterior,” Evenepoel stated on Friday.
“We wish to hold it out of the race and be as protected as attainable. We actually do not wish to take any dangers. I believe we should always return to the foundations from 2021, 2022. That is a small invitation to the organisation.”
Evenepoel, at present third total, was compelled to desert final yr’s Giro d’Italia whereas carrying the maglia rosa on account of COVID-19. Tour chief Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) revealed earlier than the race that he had contracted a light COVID-19 an infection in June, although he downplayed its influence on his preparation.
Following Pidcock’s and Thomas’ constructive take a look at, Carlos Rodríguez described COVID-19 as “an invisible rival,” whereas on Saturday night Le Monde described the Pyrenees and COVID-19 as “the following obstacles” within the duel between Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike).
On Sunday, ASO introduced that masks would now be necessary within the blended zone, on the end line and within the workforce bus paddock on every stage.
“In order to restrict well being dangers, it’s now obligatory to put on a masks within the varied areas the place you can be in touch with the riders and members of the biking groups,” learn the communiqué.
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