Riders who test positive for covid not required to leave the Tour de France organisers reveal

The second Grand Tour of the year, the Tour de France hopes to avoid a repeat of the scenes at the Giro d'Italia earlier this year that saw the peloton decimated by riders abandoning due to covid.

Tour de France race organisers, ASO have announced to coronavirus protocols surrounding this year's edition of the race and notably, riders will not be required to go home if they test postitive. Safety measures will stay in place however, with all journalists and reporters required to wear face masks when interviewing riders at the race.

"In general, for 2023, the health pass, the vaccination certificate and the negative Covid-19 test prior to participation in competitions are no longer required of teams, UCI staff or organisers. In the run-up to the Tour de France, the incidence of Covid-19 cases reported in France is very low," reads the ASO statement. "In the event of a case of Covid-19 within a team, confirmed by an antigenic test or by a PCR test (whether it concerns a rider or a member of staff), the decision to isolate and withdraw the rider from the race will be taken collectively by the team doctor concerned, the Covid-19 coordinator for the event and the UCI Medical Director, on the basis of the clinical elements available and the results of the Covid-19 test."