Illness-related absences – a wave of colds spoils the cycling spring – Sport

An unusually large number of professional cyclists are struggling with respiratory diseases in the still young season.

With his collapse after the first stage of the Tour of Catalonia, Sonny Colbrelli caused a moment of shock on Monday afternoon. According to his Bahrain Victorious team, the Italian, who finished second in the hill sprint behind Michael Matthews, was taken to hospital in stable condition.

On Tuesday, his team reported that the European champions are on the mend. “All of the cardiac tests performed last night revealed no signs of concern or impaired function,” Colbrelli’s team said.

Colbrelli had not started the second stage from Paris to Nice two weeks ago. He suffered from bronchitis, which also cost him his participation in Milan – Sanremo last Saturday. The 31-year-old is not the only one who recently had to pass due to illness.

A whole series of drivers got caught at the Bora-Hansgrohe racing team. Captain Sam Bennett, like teammate Ide Schelling, had to do without “La Primavera” for a short time. “We currently have 12 drivers with either Covid or another upper respiratory tract infection,” said team manager Ralph Denk German press agency.

Paris – Nice was hit by a wave of colds

Other racing teams also have to complain about massive failures. Quick-Step figurehead and classics specialist Julian Alaphilippe was absent, as was last year’s winner Jasper Stuyven from Trek-Segafredo. There was a veritable exodus between Paris and Nice. At the start of the 5th stage, 18 drivers did not even start, 13 of them complained of cold symptoms. According to the organizers, there were no corona cases among them.

The sometimes precarious personnel situations also pose problems for the teams. “It’s a vicious circle. You’re obliged to take part in the races and you can’t say you’re skipping Milan-Sanremo. They have another WorldTour race in Catalonia next week though. You are also obliged to do so, »said Bora team boss Denk.

If only a few healthy drivers are available, there is a risk of overloading them. The cycling year is just beginning. It is quite possible that the classic season that has just been launched will still be characterized by one or the other important failure – and surprising winners.