The Covid continues to prowl the Grande Boucle. And even before the 15th stage between Rodez and Carcassonne started this Sunday, it was marked by three retirements. After the Slovenian Primoz Roglić, more than a team member in the yellow jersey team Jonas Vingegaard, who announced that he would give up but had no connection with the Covid, two other riders must leave the Tour de France because of the virus. They are the Dane Magnus Cort Nielsen, wearing the polka dot jersey at the start of the event and winner at the Megève altiport last Wednesday, and the Australian Simon Clarke. The latter had triumphed during the cobblestone stage between Lille and Arenberg 10 days ago.
Their teammates tested negative
These two new retirements bring the total of riders who had to leave the Tour due to Covid to eight. Note that during the 10th stage between Morzine and Megève, Rafal Majka, teammate of Tadej Pogacar within Team UAE Emirates, had been authorized to run despite a positive test. The Pole had no symptoms and his viral load was very low. Magnus Cort Nielsen, great animator at the start of the Tour, and Simon Clarke do not fall into these cases.
On the other hand, all of the teammates of both have tested negative and will therefore be able to take part in the 15th stage this Sunday. The peloton will, during the 202.5 km of the stage, have to deal with the heat which could reach 40 degrees on arrival in the medieval city of Aude. In the general classification, Jonas Vingegaard still wears the yellow jersey, closely followed by the Slovenian and double title holder Tadej Pogacar. The first Frenchman, Romain Bardet, ranks 4th.
In addition, on the Covid side, all runners (and staff) will be tested this Sunday evening as provided for by the regulations before each day of rest. Last week, all the tests had turned out… negative. Which had raised some questions.
