Tour de France – New corona fear
There are only eight days left until the start of what is the highlight of the summer for many cycling enthusiasts.
Recently, however, infection rates have increased in a number of European countries, and now experts warn that the numbers will increase further over the summer.
It also affects the Tour de France, which this year starts in Copenhagen, and many of the riders take grips that make the mind go back to the previous summers.
– I have been asked to limit my contact with the outside world as much as possible, says the Danish star Magnus Cort to BT after he canceled a planned Tour event with Danish cycling fans next Monday.
– I’m very sorry I had to cancel. But with the new corona wave all the way to the Tour de France, I can not and have no risk, he says.
He tells the newspaper that his team, EF Education, has taken drastic measures to prevent infection. They are not allowed to train too hard before they go out to fly and when they have to fly there are a number of things they must have.
– The team also cares a lot about having a mask of good quality, and you have to take probiotics – lactic acid bacteria – before the flight, to keep your stomach in order. When we arrive, we have to take a zinc tablet, Cort explains.
– Covid is back
He was among several who in recent weeks have taken many precautions. After the outbreak of infection under Switzerland around last week, a whole series of riders withdrew from the race. Either because they got the corona themselves or because they wanted to avoid it before the Tour starts on July 1st.
– Everyone is nervous, said sports director of Groupama-FDJ, Philippe Mauduit, to Ouest France last week.
Team manager in Jumbo-Visma Merijn Zeeman shares the feeling.
– The Omikron variant affects riders well, so it is not like in 2020 or 2021, as it is in the open air significantly reduced the risk. It makes it difficult to do the right things. I expect it to be a very difficult Tour de France, says Zeeman to Velo News and continues:
– The reality is that covid is really back and it will affect the Tour de France. I’m sure of that, he says.
– Easy to get infected
The variant Zeeman refers to is the omicron variant BA.5. It seems to be more contagious even earlier omicron variants, but the variant does not seem to give a more serious course of the disease. This is what assistant health director Espen Nakstad tells Dagbladet.
He explains that there are various reasons for the infection spreading in the country now.
– It has been a while since people were last infected with corona, and ended longer since people received their third vaccine dose. Therefore, the antibody level decreases with time, which makes it easy to get infected with new varieties. Another reason is that we live as normal, says Nakstad to Dagbladet.
He states that there is probably no more infection or in Europe than there is in Norway. Which is good to know if you are going to Denmark or France to see this year’s Tour de France.
– Check this before you go
Norwegian infection
Norwegian Andreas Leknessund was among the riders who tested positive last week. However, he has recovered and was today taken out for this year’s Tour.
Peter Sagan also tested positive during the race in Switzerland, it was the third time in 18 months for the Slovak.
– The test was unfortunately positive. I have no symptoms and I feel very good, but I have to stop the race. I thank you for the support and I will keep you updated, said Sagan.
On the way to the sixth stage of the race talked TV 2 with a worried Alexander Kristoff.
– It is critical to avoid it now, if not smoke the Tour de France. So this is a risk for all riders, the Norwegian star told the channel.