A few days before the start of the Tour de France, Germany's top professional cyclists are concerned about a possible infection with the corona virus and the associated end for the 109th Tour of France.
"It's trembling again until the result comes.
You don't even notice anything, and all of a sudden you're positive and all of a sudden the preparation for the classics is gone," said Cofidis professional Simon Geschke (36) on Sunday after his third place at the German Championships in Sauerland.
"There's always worse, of course, but it would definitely be a huge disappointment."
Slip: "Fear is justified"
This Monday, all drivers eligible for the tour will be subjected to a PCR test, which will ultimately decide on the start of the Tour of France, which begins on Friday in Denmark's capital Copenhagen.
"Of course it's a shitty feeling and the fear is well justified," said championship fifth Jonasrutsch from the American team EF Education-EasyPost of the German Press Agency.
The 24-year-old from southern Hesse is about to take part in his second tour - as long as a positive test result doesn't put a spanner in the works.
At the Tour de Suisse in mid-June, a corona wave had significantly thinned out the field of participants in the 85th Tour of Switzerland.
More than 40 drivers had to end the race prematurely, including Maximilian Schachmann.
The Bora-hansgrohe professional was therefore unable to take part in the national title fights in Sauerland and had to hand over his championship jersey to his teammate Nils Politt without a fight.