Coronavirus protocol to be reintroduced as the Tour de France looks to avoid the chaos seen at the Giro d'Italia

Coronavirus protocols will be strictly enforced one again at the Tour de France as the race looks to avoid the chaos seen at the Giro d'Italia last month as numerous riders were forced to withdraw.

Facemasks will be returning in a throwback to past editions in one of a number of rules and regulations designed to ensure the amount of riders abandoning due to a positive covid test will be kept to a bare minimum.

At the Giro d'Italia, covid ravaged the peloton with a number of big-name riders including Remco Evenepoel and Filippo Ganna being forced to withdraw from the race. Having seen this, the Tour de France is desperate to avoid something similar happening in the biggest race on the cycling calendar.

"I don't mind as long as we protect our health," said Groupama - FDJ leader David Gaudu. "I'd rather wear a mouth mask than everyone panic again due to the epidemic and many riders are out of action due to corona," with Soudal - Quick-Step's Julian Alaphilippe also in agreement. "Maybe the measures are too heavy, but I really want to ride the Tour."