Richard Plugge comments on Giro d'Italia Covid crisis: "You shouldn't want to ride a tough mountain stage with flu"
Cycling
Covid-19 has been the main topic of the rest day as no less than 9 rider chose to DNS before stage 10 of Giro d'Italia. Most of them after returning positive Covid-19 test and showing symptoms of the illness. Among the affected was no less than the race leader Remco Evenepoel, experienced Rigoberto Urán and Domenico Pozzovivo.
Jumbo-Visma manager Richard Plugge thinks it's really important to remain very careful. "As a team, we have appealed to the Giro organization to keep the spectators as far away as possible from the riders," Plugge told NOS. “The great thing about cycling is that we can get very close to each other. But that is also a disadvantage when a highly contagious virus is circulating."
"For our team also applies: the health of the riders is paramount," 53-year-old Plugge continues. "You shouldn't want to ride a tough time trial or mountain stage with a flu and a mild fever. Cyclists have to deliver 100 percent every day. If they miss even one percent, it really won't work. In fact, if they are sick, they simply should not start."
"We have to stay on our guard," Plugge applauds UCI's decision to remove mandatory withdrawal after positive test. "I think it was logical that UCI moved away from the mandatory withdrawal of a rider who has tested positive for Covid. The health of the riders is top priority. Moreover, we always look at how someone feels. If someone feels very well, but the test is positive, we simply have to investigate further."
Jumbo-Visma had their share with Covid before the beginning of the race as it forced the team to replace three riders from their intended Giro d'Italia line-up. A little bit further down the road, back in 2020, whole Jumbo-Visma was forced to withdraw from Giro d'Italia after first week due to Covid.
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
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- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
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🇮🇹 #Giro The GC after stage ten. 👀⤵️
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