Is the Giro threatened? After the Australian team Mitchelton, which announced its withdrawal from the Giro on Tuesday morning because of several cases of Covid-19 in its ranks, the Dutch team Jumbo-Visma also leaves the Giro d’Italia before the start of the 10th stage in Lanciano.
We already know that the leader of Jumbo-Visma on the Giro, the Dutch Steven Kruijswijk (Jumbo), the third of the Tour de France 2019, tested positive during the operation carried out during the rest day and had to leave the race.
The International Cycling Union (UCI), which has not communicated the names of those concerned, has published the result of the wave of 571 tests: two riders (one from Jumbo and one from Sunweb, the Australian Michael Matthews) as well that six supervisory staff (four from Mitchelton, one from AG2R La Mondiale and one from Ineos) tested positive.
All “were entrusted to the doctors of their respective teams who ordered isolation measures”, specified the international federation.
In the process, Mitchelton, whose leader, Briton Simon Yates, has already abandoned the Giro on Saturday morning for the same reason, announced his withdrawal from the race.
Patients are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms
“After two sets of negative Covid-19 results on Friday and Saturday, the team was informed of four positive results for staff members after tests carried out on Sunday evening” explained the Australian training, one of the 19 belonging to the WorldTour (the equivalent of the first world division, NDLR).
“Given our responsibility to our riders and our staff, the field and the organization of the race, we have made a firm decision to withdraw from the Giro,” said General Manager Brent Copeland. Fortunately, those affected are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms.
Twenty-one teams therefore remain in the race in the Giro d’Italia, which is approaching halfway and is due to end on October 25 in Milan. Normally…
Article original de: www.leparisien.fr