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The Vuelta a España peloton has been placed on alert after an Intermarché-Circus-Wanty rider examined optimistic for Covid-19 only a day earlier than the race will get underway.
Belgian sprinter Gerben Thijssen was struck by the pandemic virus on the eve of his third participation on the Vuelta, and although UCI guidelines not state {that a} optimistic an infection should end in withdrawal from a race, Thijssen and his staff opted to ship him dwelling; he has been changed by Simone Petilli, an Italian climber.
“It is actually a pity that I’ve to depart this Vuelta earlier than it even began,” Thijssen mentioned. “I used to be actually prepared, the staff was actually prepared, however with the fever as we speak and yesterday, it would not have been a great choice to journey, so with the staff we took the choice collectively to not journey. I’ll go dwelling and relaxation up.”
The information will alarm the Vuelta peloton who will do not forget that the race was badly hit by the virus 12 months in the past, with main riders like Simon Yates and Sam Bennett going dwelling after changing into contaminated. At one stage within the race, some were wondering whether the race would even reach Madrid.
Come the third week, the state of affairs calmed down, and although restrictions have eased additional in 2023, Covid has continued to hit racing onerous.
At Might’s Giro d’Italia 17 riders had been compelled to desert after testing positive for Covid, including Remco Evenepoel who received the stage 10 time trial not realizing that he had been contaminated.
The Vuelta, just like the Tour de France and different main races, have maintained some restrictions to assist the restrict the unfold of the virus, with face masks obligatory within the staff paddock and through media interviews.
Thijssen’s optimistic will stress the race organisers who might be determined to keep away from a repeat of final 12 months, much more so given the calibre of the startlist.
The race begins with a staff time trial in metropolis of Barcelona, and the first mountain-top finale comes as early as stage three, with a end in Andorra.
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