Cyclists who test positive for Covid at the Tour will not be automatically disqualified

All measures to be implemented in Twe are from France is based on the “Rules to apply for the organization of road cycling competitions in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2023”, a document published in UCI website and last updated on January 12, 2023.

“This health protocol was prepared by a management group under the responsibility of UCI Medical Director, Professor Xavier Bigard, and consists of representatives of riders, teams, team doctors and organizers. It has been regularly updated in accordance with the evolution of the health situation since it first came into force in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic”, recalls the UCI itself.

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The health protocol implemented since the beginning of the 2023 season has been significantly relaxed compared to its previous versions to take into account sharp decline in the Covid-19 pandemic in most regions of the world from the summer of 2022. In addition, the UCI statement highlights, “the health risks associated with Covid-19 are currently very low in the peloton thanks to the cellular immunity caused of very high vaccination coverage among its members (cyclists and other team members) and because of the infections -which are becoming milder- that they suffer”.

In general, for 2023, teams, UCI staff or organizers no longer need a health pass, vaccination certificate and a negative Covid-19 test before participating in competitions. During the period leading up to Tour de Francethe incidence of reported cases of Covid-19 in France is very low, and the preventive measures implemented by the organizers of Tour Amaury Sport Organization (ASO) -limited access and masks required in some areas for the race convoy and supporters- is in line with UCI protocol.

The UCI and its partners would like to remind all road race participants to UCI International Calendar that the rules introduced in the past three years for the sake of the health and safety of all should continue to apply. This includes maintaining adequate physical distance, frequent hand disinfection, and regular ventilation of enclosed spaces.

In the event of a case of Covid-19 within a team, confirmed by an antigenic test or by a PCR test (whether it is a rider or a staff member), the decision to isolate and withdraw the rider from the race is will do. together with the team doctor in question, the event’s Covid-19 coordinator and the UCI Medical Director, based on the available clinical elements and the Covid-19 test results, as per example that happened in the last edition of Italy is spinning including the Belgians Remco Evenepoelincluding Italian Domenico Pozzovivo or the Colombian Rigoberto Urán.