Blanka Kata Vas positive for Covid after Fayetteville disapointment: When I got home I wanted to know if I had the virus, the test showed that seemed to be the case

Blanka Kata Vas is one of the most talented riders in the peloton and rides across multiple disciplines, despite being 20 she is already combining road and cyclocross at the top level and in the latter, she had a goal to thrive in Fayetteville but things didn't go according to plan.

On an interview with Eurosport Hungary, the young talent explained the reason of her disaponting result at the World Championships, where she was targeting a place in the podium but only managed to finish in the 17th spot: "Two days before the World Championships I had a headache and my stomach hurt. I could barely eat. Covid couldn't be the reason as both of my tests in the 48 hours before the race were negative."

With the lack of several of the top riders in the Elite race, either because they were ill or racing the U23 event, Vas had a big chance to get her first Elite medal despite being in the age field to race in the U23 field. "When we returned from the USA, our national coach said he didn't feel well. A bit later he tested positive. That's why we tested ourselves as well. My boyfriend Miki and my coach Lars Boom both tested positive too, but I was negative again."

Although it can never be confirmed, there is the chance the tests in the USA didn't reveal the Hungarian rider had been infected with Covid-19, as a lot of people in her bubble were too and she reported feeling sick.

"After the team presentation of SD Worx we got a medical check. It was a big examination, they even checked our hearts. Everything seemed to be okay. When I got home with Miki, I did a special Covid test. I wanted to know if I had had the virus. The test showed that seemed to be the case. My symptoms must have been very mild."

It was a badly timed event but at the same time Vas has now finished off her cyclocross season, having won the Overijse world cup and stringing along a strong set of results throughout the year. She will now focus on the road and has the Ardennes classics in sight for April.