Team boss Ralph Denk from the German professional cycling team Bora-hansgrohe is looking forward to the 106th Giro d’Italia, which begins on Saturday, despite the recent accumulation of corona cases in the peloton.
“Actually, I don’t worry that much. If you get it, you get it,” Denk told “SID”: “It looks like it’s ultimately a lottery. I don’t think you can do much and a needs a bit of luck.”
On Tuesday, the Jumbo-Visma team around top favorite Primoz Roglic reported the absence of time trial world champion Tobias Foss and mountain specialist Robert Gesink due to corona. The duo is replaced by Sam Oomen and Rohan Dennis.
Drivers had to cancel after positive corona findings
Oomen slipped into the squad for the original reserve driver Jos van Emden on Thursday after he himself had a positive corona test. “Jumbo-Visma is a pioneer when it comes to protective measures, they take the issue very, very seriously,” said Denk: “Nevertheless, it got them.”
Local hero Giulio Ciccone had previously had to cancel his participation in the home race due to a positive corona finding – a bitter loss for the Trek-Segafredo team. On Thursday, Team Bahrain Victorious also announced that Swiss Gino Mäder was out.