The health protocol for the 2023 season, unveiled on Thursday by the International Cycling Union (UCI), further eases the constraints linked to the fight against Covid-19.given the clearly favorable development of the international health situation. Although the risk of the appearance of new variants persists, the health risks remain very low in the peloton thanks to the cellular immunity induced by vaccination and recent commonplace infections“, indicates the new protocol of the UCI which says to lighten “considerably» the race organization rules.
In 2023, a health pass, vaccination certificate or negative Covid test will no longer be required before taking part in competitions. “More than 98% of riders and team members have benefited from a complete vaccination program. Immunity induced by vaccination and infections prevents any serious form of the disease“, and the risk of viral myocarditis “seems to be completely ruled out“At the athlete, insists the protocol of the UCI. In the event of a positive case occurring within a team (rider or member of the team) on one of the grand tours, the decision to isolate and withdraw from the race will be taken collectively by the doctor of the team concerned, the doctor of the event and the medical director of the UCI.
The organizers will however be required to communicate before their event the degree of danger in terms of health in the area where their event will take place (green, orange or red zone). “Depending on this characterization, measures – recommended, desirable or mandatory – may be taken.Since 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the peloton in many races, including the last Tour de France where seventeen riders had to retire due to a positive test, including Briton Chris Froome, quadruple winner of the event as well as the French Guillaume Martin and Warren Barguil.
