Tour de France: First corona cases - Pogacar helpers out
DPA
· 09.07.2022
Bouchard rides for the French team AG2R, Laengen was with the team UAE helper of the front runner Tadej Pogacar. This brought the total number of retirements in this year's Tour to six. The other four riders came off their bikes due to crash injuries.
Tests every three days
"Vegard was negative in our internal tests on Friday morning. In the evening he complained of a scratchy throat and a rapid test was positive. A PCR test confirmed the result," said UAE doctor Adriano Rotunno. AG2R announced that all riders and support staff had undergone rapid tests every three days. Tests were also carried out by the organisers.
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Before the start of the tour in Copenhagen, six riders had to withdraw due to positive tests. On the first rest day on Monday, there will be mandatory tests for all riders and support staff.
UCI relaxes corona rules
The UCI had relaxed the coronavirus rules a few days before the start of the Tour. Instead of PCR tests, only rapid tests were sufficient, and a team no longer has to leave the race after two riders have tested positive.
A new rule also states that a rider can remain in the race despite a positive test if he is symptom-free and not contagious. This was the case with Bob Jungels from Luxembourg, a team-mate of Bouchard.
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