Jumbo-Visma DS assured team remains focused for Giro d'Italia: "We are ready for it, despite the problems in the run-up"

Three riders from Jumbo-Visma have, at this time, tested positive for Covid-19 this week ahead of the Giro d'Italia. The team management is trying to keep the situation as much in control as possible and they remain focused in keeping the team focused on the same objectives.

"Of course this is a concern, but not only for us," Arthur van Dongen, DS of Jumbo-Visma, told De Telefraaf. "We came to Italy with the team on Wednesday and there were many riders on our flight. The world around us has forgotten about corona, but everyone from the cycling teams on the plane wore a face mask.”

Tobias Foss and Robert Gesink have this Tuesday tested positive for Covid and were replaced by Rohan Dennis and Jos van Emden. Van Emden who just entered the bubble has tested positive this morning, and been replaced by Sam Oomen. Every rider and staff member from the team is currently under risk of testing positive in the upcoming days and a catastrophe could take place if Roglic himself comes down ill.

“And the other measures will also be restarted, such as testing every day. Then maybe people will think it's not that much, and for some it might be. Sam Oomen also tested positive and only suffered from a runny nose, but Robert and Tobias became very ill with a high fever," he details.

The interview, given this morning portrays Roglic as calm and in content but the Slovenian has expressed dissatisfaction with the situation himself. “Primož is very relaxed. He now knows that anything can happen in cycling that is beyond your control," van Dongen had argued.

"This is happening to us now and Primož is someone who can handle it very well. We have to be sharp right away in those first days, but we all know how tough the last week is. Anyway… We are ready for it, despite the problems in the run-up."