Adam Blythe accuses Vuelta a Espana organizers of prioritizing profit over rider's safety - "It’s a big business, money is involved, The organizers want to keep as many riders as possible"

There is a lot of controversy going on regarding UCI’s decision to allow Juan Ayuso continue in Vuelta a Espana despite being Covid-19 positive.

Many experts have voiced their opinions concerning the topic. Daniel Lloyd says it’s “frustrating” that “there’s no consistency” in cycling regarding coronavirus regulations. “The team doctors and protocols vary from one to the next,” said Lloyd. “We’ve seen that with AG2R, UAE Team Emirates at the Tour de France, and again now with Juan Ayuso.” Ayuso tested positive for Covid-19 but was cleared to race since his viral load was low to infect other riders. “They have said his viral load is not high enough to leave the race,” said Lloyd.

Lloyd suspects the reason behind allowing him to continue the tour can be his GC position and pressure from the team. “You get the impression that, had it been a lesser rider on the team, nowhere in the general classification, you would say ‘you have tested positive for covid, out of safety for you and the rest of the team we’re going to send you home. But because Ayuso is right up there in the general classification, of course, the team doesn’t want to see him leave the race and the Vuelta organizers.”

Eurosport expert Adam Blythe agrees with Lloyd’s opinion and accuses the race organizers of looking out for profit rather than rider’s safety. “The organizers want to keep as many riders as possible in the race,” Blythe said. He concluded with, “If you’ve got a certain viral level, you can carry on, if not, you can. It’s a big business, money is involved, but you would think they would try to keep it to a minimum.”