This Monday evening, the Alpecin-Fenix team, which had to withdraw from the UAE Tour due to a positive coronavirus case among its staff, notably indicated that Mathieu van der Poel could return home. However, two other runners, contact cases, remain in quarantine.
Alpecin-Fenix had decided not to take any risks. This Monday, before the start of the second stage of the UAE Tour, the cycling team withdrew from the event, after a positive test for coronavirus in one of the members of its technical staff, even though Mathieu van der Poel occupied the first place in the general classification after the first stage. This Monday evening, the team released a new press release, concerning the follow-up to this affair for all the elements that had made the trip to the United Arab Emirates. In it, it is stated that the Dutch star can return home to Europe, just like a large part of the other riders and members of the technical staff. As a result, van der Poel will indeed be able to respond to the opening classics in Belgium, scheduled for this weekend.
An update on our withdrawal from the #UAETour pic.twitter.com/zNL7tdkUXv
– Alpecin-Fenix Cycling Team (@AlpecinFenix) February 22, 2021
Quarantine of indefinite duration for two runners
On the other hand, it is also specified that two other riders belonging to this formation, namely Jonas Rickaert and Gianni Vermeersch, were forced to isolate themselves, insofar as they are considered to be “high risk” contact cases. Forty in their hotel for an indefinite period. In this famous press release, it is stated in particular: “The riders Roy Jans, Jasper Philipsen, Kristian Sbaragli, Mathieu van der Poel and Louis Vervaeke, as well as three members of the staff, who received a negative result in the PCR test on Sunday and are not considered high risk contact cases, can return home, with additional tests carried out Monday evening at the airport having all been negative. All others, including those who received a negative PCR test but who are considered high-risk contact cases, will remain in quarantine at the team’s hotel for as long as required by UAE health authorities. Among them are riders Jonas Rickaert and Gianni Vermeersch, as well as the other members of the staff. The team will continue to strictly follow the health and safety protocols and guidelines defined by the UCI and local authorities. “
