Vegni: Rest day COVID-19 controls will be an important test for Giro d'Italia bubble

CAMIGLIATELLO SILANO ITALY OCTOBER 07 Simon Yates of The United Kingdom and Team Mitchelton Scott during the 103rd Giro dItalia 2020 Stage 5 a 225km stage from Mileto to Camigliatello Silano 1275m girodiitalia Giro on October 07 2020 in Camigliatello Silano Italy Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images
Simon Yates was dropped on the climbs on Wednesday (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

Mauro Vegni believes that Simon Yates' positive test for COVID-19 has demonstrated the value of the rapid testing system in place at the Giro d'Italia, but the race director acknowledged that rest day testing of all teams and staff will provide a clearer assessment of the effectiveness of the race 'bubble.'

Yates left the Giro ahead of stage 8 after testing positive for coronavirus on Friday evening. His Mitchelton-Scott team had requested a rapid test provided by race organiser RCS Sport after Yates reported a headache after the finish of stage 7 in Brindisi. When that returned a positive reading, Yates underwent a PCR test, which confirmed the initial diagnosis.

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Barry Ryan
Head of Features

Barry Ryan is Head of Features at Cyclingnews. He has covered professional cycling since 2010, reporting from the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and events from Argentina to Japan. His writing has appeared in The Independent, Procycling and Cycling Plus. He is the author of The Ascent: Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and the Rise of Irish Cycling’s Golden Generation, published by Gill Books.