The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has printed an up to date model of its guidelines for the organisation of street biking competitions within the context of the coronavirus pandemic.
This well being protocol was drawn up by a steering group underneath the duty of the UCI Medical Director, Professor Xavier Bigard, and composed of representatives of riders, groups, staff docs and organisers. It has been often up to date consistent with developments because it was first launched in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The newest adjustments to the protocol (which had final been up to date on January 24, 2022) primarily concern the Grand Excursions. The adjustments search to answer strengthened medical surveillance of the peloton, staff personnel and officers within the face of a altering epidemiological state of affairs characterised by a rise within the variety of optimistic Covid-19 circumstances just lately reported.
Among the many predominant new provisions of the protocol, some are obligatory and others are strongly really helpful. The obligatory measures are as follows:
- Two days earlier than the beginning of the race, presentation of no less than one adverse antigen check for all members of the groups (riders and workers); and
- On the remainder days of the occasion (apart from any switch days), a Covid-19 antigen check for all staff members (riders and workers), in addition to for commissaires (worldwide and nationwide), UCI Technical Delegates and anti-doping management personnel.
Within the occasion a case of Covid-19 inside a staff is confirmed by an antigen check, then by a PCR check (whether or not a rider or a member of workers), the choice to probably isolate the case shall be taken collectively by the staff physician involved, the Covid-19 physician for the occasion and the UCI Medical Director, on the idea of the medical components out there.
Strongly-recommended measures are as follows:
- In the course of the 5 days previous the race, day by day antigen checks for all staff members (riders and workers) with a view to confirm no person is carrying the virus – for the structure of the staff bubble and the peloton bubble; and
- In the course of the race – if attainable day by day however no less than each two to 3 days – antigen checks for staff members (besides riders), commissaires (worldwide and nationwide), UCI Technical Delegates and anti-doping management personnel.
The rule that beforehand authorised the occasion organiser to withdraw from the race any staff that had two or extra riders returning optimistic Covid-19 PCR checks inside seven days is now dropped.
UCI President David Lappartient stated “In view of the evolution of the worldwide well being state of affairs and on the eve of the Tour de France, it has change into obligatory to bolster the measures in drive to make sure that the biking occasions on our worldwide calendar may be held efficiently and to guard the well being of these current on the races.
“Even when the state of affairs we’re at present experiencing with the pandemic is much less worrying than the one we noticed on the peak of the well being disaster, we should stay vigilant. With this in thoughts, I name on all events involved to proceed to scrupulously respect all of the provisions of our well being protocols.
“This self-discipline and solidarity have enabled us to keep up our actions over the previous two years and can allow us to manage ought to the pandemic worsen sooner or later.”
