Pogacar had already seen the Norwegian Vegard Stake Laengen leave on Saturday morning within the UAE formation which had eight riders at the start of the event like its rivals.

The day after the announcement of all negative tests on Sunday evening for the competitors of the Tour, two riders had the opposite result.

Australian Luke Durbridge (BikeExchange), who has mild symptoms, also left the race.

The French Geoffrey Bouchard and Guillaume Martin had to leave the Tour for this reason last weekend.

In addition to the regulatory controls carried out by the International Cycling Union (UCI), in accordance with the protocol revised at the end of June, the various teams frequently carry out internal tests.

Every day for some, at intervals of two or three days for others.

“Covid can ruin everything”

“We test ourselves every three days, some even every two days,” said Pogacar on Saturday after leaving Laengen.

"It's really a worrying situation. The covid can ruin everything on the Tour".

"This pandemic is here and unfortunately we are not spared", estimated the yellow jersey and favorite of the Tour.

"We can't risk running sick so we have to take it seriously. We're on the road every day. In the mountains there are a lot of people shouting encouragement. It's something I really like. but which increases the chances of being infected with the virus".

Following the cascade of abandonments recorded at the Tour de Suisse in mid-June, the anti-covid protocol was updated before the start of the Tour by the International Cycling Union (UCI).

New Zealander George Bennett in front of his UEA teammates during the 9th stage of the Tour de France between Aigle, Switzerland, and Chatel les Portes du Soleil, France, July 10, 2022 Anne-Christine POUJOULAT AFP / Archives

In the event of a positive result, the protocol provides that "the decision on possible isolation will be taken collectively by the doctor of the team concerned, the Covid-19 doctor for the event and the medical director of the UCI".

After the first cases, several team bosses, in particular Marc Madiot (Groupama-FDJ), asked the organizers for additional measures to reduce the risks.

Before the start in Copenhagen, Tour director Christian Prudhomme had urged Tour riders to avoid autographs and selfies.

But, on the Tour, wearing a mask is only compulsory for those accredited who have to deal with the runners.

"There is a gap between life in general, with people who put the covid a little behind, and the need to be more careful on the Tour", admitted the director of the Tour Monday during the day of rest.

If teams are calling for stricter measures, their daily guests are far from all wearing a mask, noted an AFP journalist present on Saturday.

© 2022 AFP