The team Jumbo-Visma made a difficult decision today. Keeping in mind the health of their as well as the other teams competing in the tournament, they have decided to pull out of the competition. The decision came after they found out that their team has yet again been affected by Covid-19. An official statement just came in:
In the interest of the health of the riders and staff and to protect the peloton and the race, the medical and sporting management of the Dutch formation considers withdrawing from the Swiss stage race the wisest decision
The management of the team revealed that they have been in contact with the management of the event Tour de Sussie:
The decision was taken in consultation with the management of the Tour de Suisse.
Jumbo-Visma’s management has not revealed the names of the affected staff or the riders. They have also said that this decision to pull out is only limited to the Tour de Sussie and does not affect their position for Tour de France.
They commented while talking to the press:
For the time being, the situation has no consequences for the Tour de France shortlist, although the developments in the coming days must of course be awaited.
The Criterium du Dauphine riders Primož Roglič and Wout van Aert among others are expected to ride at The Tour de France. Robert Gesink, Mike Teunissen, Sepp Kuss and Rohan Dennis were a part of the team for Tour de Sussie.
The selection for Tour de France has also been delayed. Even though the team was practicing precautions and preventative measures, they still have to put up with multiple infected cases.
Although some restrictions have been eased in the sport since the number of positive infected reduced, the Tour of Norway had multiple cases.
Despite the team making many sacrifices like closing their training camps in January and not allowing Van Aert and Marianne Vos to compete at the tour of Flanders and the Classics because of being infected, the team cannot seem to escape the grasp of the virus.
We wish those infected a speedy recovery.
Also Read: Tour de Sussie: The Podium Left Michael Matthews Vexed
Featured Image Via YouTube/ Team Jumbo-Visma
