Shortly before the start in Aigle, it was announced that Geschke’s captain Guillaume Martin had to leave the race because of a positive corona test. The studied philosopher was 14th in the race with good prospects. Geschke was planning to go into the escape group of the day anyway and put his plan into action. A group of 20 riders, which also included German champion Nils Politt, pulled away early. Geschke won the penultimate mountain classification, then saved two points with his last strength on the final climb.
Dominator Pogacar did not want the day’s victory on the first real stage in the Alps. His UAE team only managed the breakaway lead. Pogacar is more worried about the corona virus than the competition in the race. The 23-year-old worries above all about the danger from outside. “Every day people on the climbs yell at you, which I like. But it increases the likelihood of contracting viruses,” said the Slovenian. Pogacar hopes the virus isn’t in the team bubble and that the Norwegian actually contracted it from a fan. “I hope that’s it and that we’re safe until the end.”
Nervousness in the peloton is increasing
There were three new cases over the weekend. In addition to Martin and Poagcar’s teammate Vegard Stake Laengen, Frenchman Geoffrey Bouchard also had to retire. Ahead of the first rest day on Monday, the peloton was getting more and more nervous about how many riders would be caught in the first mandatory tests since the start in Copenhagen. After over a week of silence, the virus is suddenly back in the peloton after six riders had to withdraw their starts before the start in Copenhagen. Ironically, Jungels also tested positive before the start, but benefited from new rules that allow a symptom-free and non-contagious professional to still ride.
Geschke and Max Walscheid’s Cofidis team was the first team to lose their captain. “You can only do what you can to protect yourself. I think we did that well. That’s just bad luck,” Walscheid told the German Press Agency before the start of the ninth stage, adding: “That’s it It’s stupid, because we all prepare so meticulously and the race is so big and so hard. It just can’t be changed. Unfortunately, that’s part of the game now, we have to deal with it.” Walscheid expects more cases.
Pogacar, on the other hand, was relatively relaxed. “Covid is not a rival. It’s just a virus that can affect things and ruin a tour,” said Pogacar. Rivals are drivers from teams like Jumbo and Ineos. The 23-year-old is confident that his UAE team is still strong enough with seven riders.