Covid-19 protocols changed ahead of Tour de France

Tuesday, 28 June 2022 at 18:05

For the first time since January of this year, the UCI has updated it's guidelines of Covid-19, just ahead of the Tour de France and the Giro Donne, with changes that can make the differences in both races.

The continuous testing with Antigen and PCR will continue before and during the races, however there have been changes regarding more importantly the withdraw of teams. Teams who have more than two riders test positive for Covid-19 no longer are forced to abandon the race, as they now can continue if they choose to.

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UCI President David Lappartient has said that "in view of the evolution of the international health situation and on the eve of the Tour de France, it has become necessary to reinforce the measures in force to ensure that the cycling events on our International Calendar can be held successfully and to protect the health of those present at the races."

"Even if the situation we are currently experiencing with the pandemic is less worrying than the one we saw at the height of the health crisis, we must remain vigilant..." he pointed out in the press release. Tim Declercq and Cristián Rodríguez were two riders who were confirmed to be racing the Tour de France but have this morning tested positive and had to withdraw. Florian Sénéchal and Edvald Boasson Hagen will instead be racing for Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team and TotalEnergies respectively.