“The Impact of Covid on Contenders at Giro 2023: Evenepoel’s Precautions and Jumbo-Visma’s Setbacks”

Currently, it is the Slovenian who is the most handicapped by the virus. After Tobias Foss and Robert Gesink, a third case has been revealed within Jumbo-Visma with Jos van Emden. In all, six cases have already been declared even before the competition. “It looks like a lottery”laughed Roglic before the start of the competition. “We will be lucky if we manage to start with eight riders. Of course, it’s not what we hope for, but we will deal with it and find solutions. I have full confidence in the guys who are here.”

The subject you have chosen: is the Covid the main opponent of Evenepoel at the Giro?

For the moment, no additional precautions have been taken by RCS Sport, the organizer of the Tour of Italy. To counter the virus, the Dutch team has taken a whole series of measures. Daily tests, compulsory mouth masks, separate bedroom and air purifier in the bus, the rooms and the hotel restaurant… In short, nothing is left to chance. Even though teams can’t control the uncontrollable.

Remco Evenepoel sleeps alone… unlike his teammates

Among competitors, the risks are also limited. Indeed, Soudal-Quick-Step has also restored the masks while the interviews take place outside as much as possible. On the other hand, the riders always stay in a room for two… with the exception of Remco Evenepoel. The last winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège asked to be isolated. His usual roommate, Vervaeke, now shares Van Wilder’s quarters. “We will act as in the Vuelta last year: wear mouth masks, wash and disinfect our hands and keep the bubble as small as possible”Evenepoel said. “It will take another three weeks to focus on this point.”

Remco Evenepoel before the Giro 2023: “I’m not the favorite in time”

However, a few hours after these statements, a scene stunned the kid from Schepdaal. During the presentation of the teams, all the riders were sent to a small room with 40 journalists, all without any masks. What to worry about the world champion: “I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of teams show up at the start with a few men down after a week or two”he said for the Nieuwsblad.

For society, the virus no longer represents a problem at all. Which is not at all the case for top athletes who have to face the Italian hills for three weeks. “It’s very difficult to perform as an athlete if you’re infected.” explains Roglic. “We know what we can do to prevent further infections and we will be strict on those precautions, but it always takes a bit of luck to stay healthy.”

Evenepoel favorite of the Giro 2023: “No one can say where the limits of Remco are, not even him” (PODCAST)

With the Covid, the tension is therefore rising a little more in the peloton. And the specter of a disaster scenario where one of the two favorites would be eliminated hovers before the start of this Giro.

All about the 21 stages of a Giro 2023 cut out for Remco Evenepoel: discover our guide to the Tour of Italy