The fear is spreading: Corona returns to the tour with a vengeance
Tadej Pogacar caught Covid-19 during preparation, Jonas Vingegaard to race without his key helper. Corona is back as a topic before the Tour de France. Many teams have already pulled out dusty Corona protocols from the attic.
Just before the start of the Tour de France, Corona anxiety resurfaces. Superstar Tadej Pogacar caught Covid-19 during preparation, although the course was reportedly mild. For many teams, this is a warning sign, as they once again need to retrieve long-forgotten Corona protocols. The Belgian time trial world champion Remco Evenepoel, one of the favorites before the Tour de France, which starts in Florence on Saturday, presented himself with a red mask. And in Jonas Vingegaard's Danish title-defending team, masks, PCR tests, and hand disinfection are part of the standard program again.
"I don't want to scare people that I'm sick. I'm fine, but I'm being cautious," said young star Evenepoard and added: "We're dealing with a lot of people here. I don't want to end the Tour like the Giro last year." Evenepoel had to withdraw as the leader of the pink jersey at the first rest day due to an infection in 2023. This should not happen again.
Vingegaard loses valuable helper
In Vingegaard's Visma-Lease team, Covid-19 has already caused a prominent withdrawal. Vuelta champion Sepp Kuss, who was supposed to be Vingegaard's key helper for the Danish winner of 2022 and 2023, was heavily affected. "Sepp is very valuable. We miss him a lot. Not just me, but the whole team," said Vingegaard.
Pogacar, however, came out of it more favorably, as he reassured: "I have recovered well. Covid is not as serious as it used to be. I had the virus already. The body gets used to it. It wasn't that bad and went away quickly." He took only one day off, then got back on his bike a little.
No Corona measures planned for the Tour
Even at the German Red Bull team, they are being careful. They follow the usual strict hygiene and caution measures. In case of infections, they will be stepped up, as a spokesperson confirmed to dpa. "The risk is always there. We're trying to be careful. Sometimes you need luck," said captain Primoz Roglic, adding with a look at the crowded room at the press conference: "I assume everyone has a negative test result."
However, at the Tour, all Corona measures have long been lifted. In certain areas, masks were still mandatory last year due to the many dropouts caused by Covid at the Giro. Journalists had to wear masks whenever they came into contact with a rider, as well as other team members and riders themselves were required to wear masks in the so-called Paddock - the bus parking area at the start and finish - but these times seem to be over...
Despite the resurgence of Corona anxiety before the Tour de France, top cyclist Tadej Pogacar managed to recoup from his Covid-19 bout during preparation, emphasizing that the virus is less severe now. On the other hand, Jonas Vingegaard's Danish title-defending team, including himself, is reinstating strict Corona protocols, such as wearing masks, PCR tests, and hand disinfection, to ensure safety during the race.
