The Tour de France has reintroduced protecting measures in opposition to COVID-19, with race organisation, media and visitors now required to put on masks wherever they arrive into contact with riders and crew employees on the race.
Race organiser ASO introduced the protocol on Sunday morning following plenty of COVID-19 circumstances within the peloton in current days. Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers), Juan Ayuso (UAE Crew Emirates) and Michael Mørkøv (Astana-Qazaqstan) are among the many riders to have deserted the race after contracting the virus, whereas Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) stays within the Tour regardless of testing optimistic for COVID-19.
Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) has been carrying a masks within the blended zone earlier than and after phases in current days, and the Belgian has already known as on the organisation to implement extra stringent measures in opposition to COVID-19.
“There are such a lot of individuals in the beginning and end. COVID does not simply enter the peloton, it comes from exterior,” Evenepoel stated on Friday.
“We need to preserve it out of the race and be as secure as potential. We actually do not need to take any dangers. I feel we must always return to the foundations from 2021, 2022. That could be a small invitation to the organisation.”
Evenepoel, presently third total, was pressured to desert final 12 months’s Giro d’Italia whereas carrying the maglia rosa on account of COVID-19. Tour chief Tadej Pogačar (UAE Crew Emirates) revealed earlier than the race that he had contracted a gentle COVID-19 an infection in June, although he downplayed its influence on his preparation.
Following Pidcock’s and Thomas’ optimistic check, Carlos Rodríguez described COVID-19 as “an invisible rival,” whereas on Saturday night Le Monde described the Pyrenees and COVID-19 as “the following obstacles” within the duel between Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike).
On Sunday, ASO introduced that masks would now be obligatory within the blended zone, on the end line and within the crew bus paddock on every stage.
“In an effort to restrict well being dangers, it’s now obligatory to put on a masks within the varied areas the place you may be involved with the riders and members of the biking groups,” learn the communiqué.
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