The entire Tour de France peloton was authorized to leave on Tuesday, September 15, for the 16th stage, the first in the Alps, after negative results in tests for the detection of Covid-19.

None of the runners has tested positive for the various Covid tests undergone for three weeks. 

Following the health protocol validated by the French authorities, the runners were checked twice before the Grand Départ in Nice, then again on each of the two days of rest, the second time, on Monday, in the department of Isère. 

Return of Christian Prudhomme

"It means that the measures taken are effective", welcomed the director of the Tour, Christian Prudhomme, at the start of the 16th stage in La Tour-du-Pin (Isère).

The latter, who had tested positive at the beginning of last week, resumed his place after isolating himself for seven days and underwent a new test, this time negative.

Christian Prudhomme has also tested negative for the coronavirus.

After a week of isolation, he will find his place for the third week of director of the Tour de France, occupied by interim so far by François Lemarchand.

# TDF2020

- The Gruppetto (@LeGruppetto) September 15, 2020

"We are faced with a disease that killed 30,000 people in the spring," recalled the director of the Tour.

"The measures that had to be taken have been taken. Sometimes people complain because some people could not stay in such passes but that was the sine qua non for the organization of the Tour de France".

"We hold the right end"

"Everyone says that the pandemic will last: that we continue to live is essential, continued Christian Prudhomme. When people respect the rules, pay attention, things go well." 

"I'm not going to chatter you, however conceded the director of the Tour. It's the only time since 2004, when I joined the organization of the Tour de France, that I can't wait to be at the end. There, we are on the right track ".

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The controls focused on the entire "race bubble" which brings together the runners, the management of their teams and some officials, ie some 650 to 700 people.

The greater number of tests carried out (785 on the occasion of the second day of rest) can be explained by checks carried out on people who are not part of the "race bubble".

On the first day of rest, four people from the management of four different teams (AG2R La Mondiale, Cofidis, Ineos, Mitchelton) had a positive result and had to leave. 

With AFP

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