Despite numerous positive cases in recent weeks, the UCI has relaxed the coronavirus rules shortly before the start of the 109th Tour de France.
Before the start and on two rest days, all riders and team members must now only undergo rapid antigen tests instead of PCR tests. In addition, the rule that a team is removed from the race as soon as two riders test positive has been cancelled, the UCI announced. According to dpa, some of the teams had already been informed in advance. The Tour begins on 1 July in Copenhagen.
A positive rapid test must be confirmed by a PCR, but - this is also new - does not necessarily mean that the rider is out of the Tour. In exceptional cases, the chief physician of the UCI and the Covid doctor of the Tour organiser ASO can decide that a rider may continue to ride. To do so, it must be ensured that the infected person is not contagious and cannot transmit the coronavirus.
In addition to the mandatory tests before and during the Tour, the UCI issued urgent recommendations. These include that all riders and team members should undergo a rapid test every day if possible. On 28 June, Belgian rider Tim Declerq was the first nominated rider who had to withdraw from the race due to a positive coronavirus test.
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