The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) would like to issue a reminder of the rules that currently apply to the organisation of road cycling events on the UCI International Calendar in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a view to the forthcoming Tour de France, which starts on 1st July.
All the measures that will be implemented are based on the "Rules to be applied for the organisation of road cycling competitions in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2023", a document published on the UCI website and last updated on 12 January 2023.
This health protocol was drawn up by a steering group under the responsibility of the UCI's Medical Director, Professor Xavier Bigard, and made up of representatives of the riders, teams, team doctors and organisers. It has been regularly updated in line with the evolving health situation since it first came into force in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The health protocol in force since the start of the 2023 season has been considerably eased compared with its previous versions to take into account the sharp decline in the Covid-19 pandemic in the vast majority of the world’s regions since the summer of 2022. In addition, the health risks linked to Covid-19 are currently extremely low in the peloton thanks to the cellular immunity induced by the very high vaccination coverage among its members (riders and other team members) and by the infections – that are increasingly mild – they have contracted.
In general, for 2023, the health pass, the vaccination certificate and the negative Covid-19 test prior to participation in competitions are no longer required of teams, UCI staff or organisers. In the run-up to the Tour de France, the incidence of Covid-19 cases reported in France is very low, and the preventive measures put in place by organisersAmaury Sport Organisation (ASO) – limited access and masks required in certain zones for the race convoy and followers - are in adequation with the UCI protocol.
The UCI and its partners would like to remind all participants in road races on the UCI International Calendar that the rules introduced over the last three years in the interests of everyone's health and safety should continue to apply. These include maintaining sufficient physical distance, frequently disinfecting hands and regularly airing enclosed spaces.
In the event of a case of Covid-19 within a team, confirmed by an antigenic test or by a PCR test (whether it concerns a rider or a member of staff), the decision to isolate and withdraw the rider from the race will be taken collectively by the team doctor concerned, the Covid-19 coordinator for the event and the UCI Medical Director, on the basis of the clinical elements available and the results of the Covid-19 test.