Christian Prudhomme -

Fernand Fourcade / SIPA

The sports director of the Tour de France, Christian Prudhomme, tested positive for the coronavirus, we learned from the race organization on Tuesday a few minutes before the start of the 10th stage between the Île d'Oléron and re island.

It is therefore kept away from the Great Loop for a week in order to preserve the bubble in which the riders and staffs are.

"The riders live like monk-soldiers, which is not my case," said the director of the Tour, who obviously did not come to the starting village of the Tour on the island of Oléron.

By virtue of his functions, Christian Prudhomme multiplies the meetings with the guests or the elected officials, as well as the protocol obligations.

"It is for this reason that I do not belong to the 'racing bubble' and have no contact with the runners," he explained.

Prudhomme had notably welcomed Prime Minister Jean Castex in his car during the 8th stage leading to Loudenvielle.

Christian Prudhomme is asymptomatic.

Result fell last night.

He will be absent for at least 7 days, new test to come.

He works remotely with his assistant.

François Lemarchand will be in car number 1.

@RTLFrance

- Nicolas Georgereau (@ngeorgereau) September 8, 2020

“I'm off the Tour for eight days,” also said the race director, who is asymptomatic.

"I will do like any French employee in this kind of case."

Cases in team staffs

Several members of the team management have also tested positive during the examinations carried out on the occasion of the first day of rest in Charente-Maritime.

But no training has presented more than one positive case, which does not lead to any collective exclusion.

On the other hand, all the competitors tested on Sunday and Monday are negative and can continue the race as provided for in the protocol in force on the Tour de France.

  • Covid 19

  • Sport

  • Coronavirus

  • Christian prudhomme

  • Tour de France