In spite of all 166 riders left in the Tour de France screening unfavorable for coronavirus, the race director Christian Prudhomme has checked favorable and will now leave the race for 8 days.
After reports emerged in the French media, race organiser ASO validated the news on Tuesday afternoon, just ahead of the start of phase 10, and quickly after revealing that no riders had evaluated positive, however that four team member from 4 different teams had.
In the statement, ASO explained that Prudhomme was not part of the race bubble, and was not required to go through a test on Mondays day of rest, but did so anyhow, as he had done on 3 events ahead of the race, on August 6, 20, and 27.
Offered he is not part of the bubble, he will not need to leave the race totally, however will instead follow French health standards and self-isolate for a week. He will be replaced by current ASO sporting manager, François Lemarchand, however is anticipated to return to the race for stage 17 on September 16.
” The screening campaign revealed that Christian Prudhomme has checked favorable for COVID-19. The Director of the Tour de France, taking his fourth test in one month, will now quarantine for seven days,” read the declaration from ASO.
” Although he was not part of the race bubble and had actually not remained in direct contact with any of the riders and their entourage, Christian Prudhomme still chose to get evaluated.”
” The Anti-COVID-19 protocol, which proves strengthened security for the race bubble, unique from others in the company, enables the following plan to be put in location following such a circumstance. In the absence of Christian Prudhomme from the 10th stage from Ile dOleron to Ile de Re up till the 16th stage from la Tour du Pin to Villard de Lans, Francois Lemarchand, who remained in the lead cars and truck on Paris-Nice, will inhabit Christian Prudhommes place in the lead car.
Jean-Michel Monin, meanwhile, will replace Francois Lemarchand in the number 3 automobile.” Prudhomme himself spoke to French news company AFP, validating he would be missing from the Tour for the very first time given that he used up the function of race director in 2006.” From the information Ive been offered, it [the infection] has simply gotten here,” stated Prudhomme. “Im leaving the Tour for eight days. Im going to do as any other French employee would in this circumstance. Im going to see the Tour on television, which I have not done for 15 years.”
” The riders live like monks, which isnt the case for me. Its because of that I dont come from the race bubble and do not have contact with the riders,” he added, before telling France 3: “No rider is positive, whichs the most crucial thing for me. That shows that this bubble is working.”
Prudhomme, a previous journalist, first worked alongside former Tour director Jean-Marie Leblanc in 2006 before taking sole obligation of the function from 2007. His role sees him satisfy with local officials, authorities and visitors throughout the post-stage and pre events. Throughout the race, he rides in the lead organisation cars and truck, waving the race underway from the sunroof every day as soon as the riders reach kilometre-zero after the opening neutralised zone.
” Prudhomme himself spoke to French news agency AFP, verifying he would be absent from the Tour for the very first time since he took up the role of race director in 2006. Its for that factor that I dont belong to the race bubble and dont have contact with the riders,” he added, before informing France 3: “No rider is favorable, and thats the most crucial thing for me. Prudhomme, a previous reporter, very first worked along with previous Tour director Jean-Marie Leblanc in 2006 before taking sole responsibility of the role from 2007. Throughout the race, he trips in the lead organisation car, waving the race underway from the sunroof each day once the riders reach kilometre-zero after the opening neutralised zone.
He routinely hosts special guests in the cars and truck, and has continued to do so during the 2020 Tour de France, with French prime minister Jean Castex in there on Saturdays stage 8 in the Pyrenees. Le Parisien has actually considering that reported that Castex will now undergo a test and will not be able to participate in a government seminar personally on Wednesday.
