Team Arkéa-Samsic reported that French cyclist Clément Russo has become the first rider to test positive for COVID-19 in the Giro d’Italia. Russo, 28 years old and ranked 107th overall, abandoned the race immediately after learning of the result.
Earlier, several riders had already withdrawn from the race before the start, including three riders from the Jumbo-Visma team, one of the favorites to win the competition. Arkéa-Samsic team leader Warren Barguil tested positive for COVID-19 at the end of April but recovered in time to compete in the Giro d’Italia.
The Giro d’Italia, which started last Saturday, is scheduled to finish on May 28 in Rome. The race has already faced difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with public restrictions and strict security protocols to ensure the health of riders and support staff. With the detection of the first positive case of COVID-19 at the race, precautionary measures are expected to be further intensified to prevent the spread of the virus.
Clément Russo’s positive COVID-19 case is a reminder of the challenges facing Giro d’Italia organizers and cycling teams as they try to keep the race on track amid the pandemic.
Giro d’Italia organizers have implemented a host of health and safety measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including frequent testing, team bubbles, and restrictions on contact with the outside world.
Saturday, September 7, 2024