Adrie van der Poel supports calls for action for Covid-19 prevention in Giro d'Italia peloton: "Something has to be done"

Covid-19 is currently holding Giro d'Italia competitors hostage as over twenty cyclists were forced to abandon the race over last few days. Maglia Rosa wearer Remco Evenepoel was among the first victims who announced his early departure on Sunday, which ignited chain reaction, eliminating many other big names from the race.

Remco's father was called to in the Wuyts & Vlaeminck podcast. “After the time trial we already knew that something was not right. We already saw small signals, we did notice that something was not right. We thought it was due to those wounds, but if he himself indicates that he is getting sick, we already knew. That fear was also confirmed, "said Patrick Evenepoel.

"We saw him cross the finish line in that time trial and knew it wasn't Remco," said Evenepoel's father. "We can't blame anyone for this, but it was actually a shame how things went. The organization, the press... everyone. When you see that at the start of the Giro, it was a shame. Everyone has to do their job, but things go wrong this way."

"It seems as if the riders are puppets, playthings. Adrie Van der Poel just sent me a message: something has to be done, because a statement has to be made," says Patrick. "When you come to the line you see everyone running to put the microphone under the nose first, but those riders also have to do their job. What are we all doing? Something has to change, absolutely. It doesn't stop. The danger for the riders is that that will affect their heart muscle, and I think we want to avoid a Colbrelli case," Evenepoel's father refers to the Italian rider who suffered a heart attack in last year's Vuelta a Catalunya.