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EF Pro Cycling Requests That Giro Ends on Next Rest Day

Citing the number of positive Covid test so far in the race, and a lack of confidence in existing testing protocols, the EF Pro Cycling team has formally requested that the Giro d’Italia ends early. The race would end on its second rest day, Monday, with victors announced – about two-thirds of the originally planned race.

And the UCI has already rejected the request. Ah well. Here’s EF Pro Cycling’s proposal:

Dear RCS, UCI, Stakeholders and Teams,

Thank you for your efforts to produce a safe and compelling Giro d’Italia. We have enjoyed our team at the race so far.

Unfortunately, given the news of:

  • Reportedly 11 positive tests across four teams within the peloton ‘bubble’
  • Estimated positivity rate of ~2%, which feels too high in a population that should be protected, asymptomatic, and with an extremely low positivity rate
  • An outbreak across teams within the peloton

With a clearly compromised bubble and an expected lag between exposure and symptoms/positives, it must be expected that further illness will result. This is not a given, but the precautionary principle would suggest we act responsibly and adopt a conservative approach

For the health and safety of riders, staff, and the communities through which we race, we recommend that the Giro be stopped early. We believe it would be better for the Giro and the UCI World Tour should this be done in a systematic, holistic way versus a chaotic withdrawal on a team by team basis. The second rest day seems a natural break in the race to declare winners and a successful 2020 Giro d’Italia. In the meantime, we support the idea of:

  • At least two systematic Covid tests before that rest day and an earlier close to the race if additional tests return positive prior to the rest day
  • Properly sealing off the team paddocks in both the start and finish areas and to reinforce safety of the teams in the hotels.

While we hope to remain in the race until an official early finish, should anyone on our team test positive or should the riders and staff grow uncomfortable with the situation, we will leave the race at that time and would, of course, give you as much notice as possible.

Thank you for your consideration and continued attention to this situation.