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Corona is no longer an issue for large parts of the population. Very different in professional cycling. After numerous Covid cases during the Tour de Romandie and the Giro d’Italia, masks are once again ubiquitous. Many drivers are relaxed, others are respectful – but there is also fear.
Former world champion Julian Alaphilippe (30) is particularly careful. The Frenchman says in the newspaper “L’Equipe”: “We have to stay in a bubble. Otherwise we risk having to stay at home. Then all the sacrifices we have made have been in vain.”
OK, the Tour de France is coming
At least since the resignation of Giro leader Remco Evenepoel (23, Be) – he was in the lead after 9 stages – the organizers are also trembling. Reuters news agency reports that the Tour de France will introduce several restrictions.
A curfew will be imposed on drivers and team members – they will not be allowed to eat outside their hotel. The cycling professionals must also refrain from talking, signing autographs and taking selfies with spectators. Access to the teams is restricted for journalists – except on June 29 at the start of the tour in Bilbao (Sp), where masks are mandatory.
2625 corona cases per day
It is unclear whether there will be sanctions for non-compliance with the rules. There is probably no legal basis for this. In the past seven days, there have been an average of 2,625 infections per day in France. For comparison: a year ago there were about 25,000 – but the teams were still allowed to eat in restaurants outside the hotel.
The French government currently has no corona restrictions for the population, wearing a face mask is only recommended “in closed spaces and at events with a large number of people”.
Tour de Suisse: More space for the riders
The Tour de Suisse starts next Sunday. With Evenepoel, who has recovered from his illness. The OK of the Tour of Switzerland also responds to the Corona cases – albeit much milder than the Tour de France.
“We have no bans. But we will see that there will be more distance. For example to the fans when registering for the stages. The drivers who don’t want that can keep their distance,” explains tour boss Olivier Senn. In any case, there will be no narrow passages through the crowds for the drivers.
That’s not all. All Tour de Suisse employees always wear masks when in contact with the teams. And: if someone feels sick, he is tested immediately – if he is positive, he goes home. “We try to do the maximum. The fact is, however, that we have no requirements from the cantons or the federal government,” explains Senn. It is primarily up to the teams and drivers to protect themselves.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
