The health protocol is rigorous and if two people in a stable, in addition to the riders, include staff, the race is tested positively by a week, you are thrown out of the competition.

Last week, there were covid-19 cases in four stables involving around 30 people: Ineos Grenadiers, AG2R-La Mondiale, Mitchelton-Scott and Cofidis.

As those tests were performed last Sunday and Monday, more than a week has to pass before today's tests are analyzed.

The four stables do not have to fear a new case.

The big fear is that two people from the same stable will be tested positive during the day.

The result will be announced before Tuesday's tough mountain stage over 164 km between La tour-du-pin and and Villard-de-lans. 

Pogacar has taken in 40 seconds on leading Roglic

In the lead, there has been a Slovenian duel between Priomz Roglic, from the large stable Jumbo Visma who has several strong auxiliary riders, and Tadej Pogacar from UAE, United Arab Emirates, where he managed to manage himself in the heavier parts.

This after last year's winner Egan Bernal completely finished in the last climb yesterday and lost over seven minutes when he rolled over the finish line in Grand Colombier with little steering speed.

Pogacar, who is the better sprinter of the two Slovenes, was for a while 1.20 behind Roglic after losing in the headwind on the seventh stage.

He has taken back the booklets and is 40 seconds behind Roglic.

In addition, Pogacar is a better pace cyclist, a pace awaits in the penultimate stage on Saturday.

- The plan is to win the Tour de France.

Primoz Rogllic seems unstoppable but Bernal went into the wall and maybe Primoz can do it too.

There are many opportunities ahead of us, says 21-year-old Pogacar according to Reuters.

- So far, everything has gone according to plan, but we are not there yet, says the wordless Roglic. 

On the way to getting a second miracle

Six stages remain of the classic that started two months late due to the corona pandemic.

- It is a first miracle that we could start this race, but we also need a second miracle, which is that the Tour de France will reach Paris, said the chairman of the International Cycling Union, David Lappartient before the start on 29 August.