The Tour de France starts on 1 July. After two years under corona conditions, a race like before the pandemic seemed possible. But after corona cases, fear is spreading among the riders.
Rising infection figures in Europe, which Tour de Suisse as a corona farce and a Tour-de-France-Champion Tadej Pogacar, who is wearing a mask again: Less than two weeks before the start of the Tour de France, the mood in cycling is one of alarm. The coronavirus summer wave has the peloton trembling.
Denk shares corona concerns ahead of Tour de France
"For the sake of our sport, I hope it doesn't become just another lottery," team boss Ralph Denk of the Bora-hansgrohe racing team told the German Press Agency with a view to the start of the tour on 1 July in Copenhagen: "The worry is there. It can already hit home."
Following numerous cases of coronavirus, more than 40 professional cyclists have had to pull out of the Tour de Suisse prematurely in recent days. There were also three cases in the Bora team, including that of Russian Aleksandr Vlasov, who had to pull out one day after winning the stage and taking the yellow jersey on Friday.
Pogacar's environment also affected by corona
Also the immediate surroundings of Pogacar, who completed his Tour dress rehearsal at home in the Tour of Sloveniawas affected. One team-mate tested positive and another was taken out of the race as a precaution.
"We're isolating ourselves as best we can," said Pogacar, noting: "On the first two days, we signed autographs and took photos with people. Now we're keeping our distance, because we want to be at the start of the tour."
Former Tour de France winner Thomas speaks out
The teams are alarmed, especially in Switzerland, where riders tested positive in droves. "We actually thought we'd put all that behind us," said Geraint Thomas, the winner of the 2018 Tour of France.
Four teams dropped out of the race altogether due to the cases, while others only had a skeleton team at the end, such as Bora-hansgrohe. "I'm crossing my fingers that I don't get corona," said German champion Maximilian Schachmann, who had already been set back at the beginning of the year after contracting corona and a serious infection. According to Denk, his three colleagues who tested positive only have mild symptoms, "which makes us feel positive about the Tour de France".
Vlasov still on tour after all?
Vlasov had been earmarked as the man for the overall classification in the Tour of France. "We haven't given up. There is still a chance. We'll have to wait a week now. If he's negative, he can get back on the bike. He's not training at the moment," said Denk. The Tour starts on 1 July in Copenhagen. Here is an overview of all the stages.
The team of Pogacar's rival Primoz Roglic was also affected. Jumbo-Visma was the first to leave the race after corona cases in the team, which is why no rider from the Swiss squad joined Roglic for the time being, who last won the Criterium du Dauphinewill be travelling to the training camp in Tignes.
Mandatory PCR tests
According to Denk, all riders must present a mandatory PCR test before the start of the Tour, after which testing will take place on the rest days, as it has done in the last two years. There were no positive cases in the 2020 and 2021 editions, although the Tour squad was very strictly isolated at the time and operated in its own bubble. Since this season, the UCI has relaxed the rules again.
At Bora, they are trying to let "common sense prevail", says Denk. "If we isolate ourselves from the fans and journalists again, then the flair of the sport will be lost at some point. That makes me sick to my stomach," said Denk. You have to come to terms with the virus, explains the team boss of the Raubling-based racing team.
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