Tour de France 2024 Favourite Tadej Pogacar Defends Title Amid Covid-19 Considerations

by time news

2024-06-27 20:20:30

The favourite of the Tour de France 2024, Tadej Pogacar, defends on June 27, 2024 in Florence (Italy).

Two days earlier than the beginning of the Tour de France, constructive instances of Covid-19 inside the peloton deliver again dangerous recollections of the 2020 to 2022 editions, and a few groups are considering of restoring well being protocols: carrying a masks within the departure and arrival zones. , gestures associated to distance from the general public, and so forth. The riders, nevertheless, confirmed a usually relaxed temper throughout the presentation of the groups, Thursday 27 June within the heights of Florence which was blinded by the setting solar, for the primary Italian begin within the historical past of the Grande Boucle.

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Earlier right this moment, the winner of the Tour de France 2019 and 2020, Tadej Pogacar (Staff UAE-Emirates) revealed that he had contracted the coronavirus round ten days in the past. “It was like a chilly and I used to be in a position to prepare once more rapidly on the house coach”with the Slovenian, who carried out higher than the Tour of Italy between Might and early June.

Two different runners weren’t so fortunate, and needed to withdraw as a result of Covid. The American Sepp Kuss (Visma-Leas a Bike), the winner of the final Tour of Spain, introduced that he was withdrawing firstly of the week, a giant loss within the mountains to his colleague Jonas Vingegaard, whereas working for brand spanking new yellow jersey. . The British Tao Geoghegan Hart, the brand new chief of Staff Lidl-Trek, needed to throw within the towel for a similar causes, declaring disappointment: “We thought Covid-19 was gone”. These two main markers caught or developed the virus throughout the Critérium du Dauphiné (June 2 to 9) the place many riders confirmed indicators of concern.

“It is easy, we have all had it! »notes former French champion Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ), himself unwell throughout the second stage, “flat and on the foot of the mattress”however who insisted on finishing the take a look at. “I felt like I had dangerous bronchitis, and it was inconceivable to get myself on the bike utterly.description of the Finistère. The sickness went away due to relaxation. » His roommate on the Dauphiné, David Gaudu, was additionally affected, till he canceled his participation within the French championships final weekend.

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Given this resurgence on this case, which is in any other case tough to diagnose with antigenic assessments – well being professionals advocate utilizing PCR assessments – some groups are contemplating common assessments throughout this Tour de France. “Check all runners each three to 4 days”, explains Marc Mardiot, supervisor of Groupama-FDJ. Outgoing Tour winner Staff Visma-Leas a Bike introduced a well being system with out specifying its define but. For its half, the Amaury sports activities group (ASO), which organizes the Grande Boucle, doesn’t plan to determine a brand new “bubble” for the groups, a well being protocol that shall be in place in 2020 and 2021.

Epidemiologists should not stunned by the resurgence of Covid-19 on the Tour de France. “Since there are not any particular precautions, Covid-19 appears to be spreading like wildfire”explains Professor Antoine Flahault, director of the World Well being Institute in Geneva. “That is very true since we’re observing a comparatively sturdy wave of depth in Europe and North America, pushed by Omicron subvariants from the FLiRT group (JN.1, KP.2, KP.3) which have the attribute of being. extremely transmitted, The writer not too long ago follows from Inform me! Higher well being at any age (Robert Laffont). So it’s not shocking to notice that this wave impacts Tour de France riders. Euro footballers and athletes from the Paris Olympics is probably not spared both.”

In accordance with him, if we “You actually do not concern severe kinds and hospitalization amongst these younger athletes who’re in good well being (…) signs of Covid-19 can critically have an effect on sports activities efficiency”. And the progress of the 2024 version of the Tour de France could possibly be modified.

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