Team Jumbo-Visma did not appear at the start of the fifth stage of the Tour de Suisse on Thursday. Despite precautions, COVID crept into the team again. In the interest of the health of the riders and staff and to protect the peloton and the race, the Dutch formation’s medical and sporting management considered withdrawing from the Swiss race the wisest decision. The decision was taken in consultation with the Tour de Suisse management.
Team Jumbo-Visma didn’t reveal who was infected. For now, the situation has no consequence for the Tour de France shortlist, which includes Sepp Kuss, although the team said it would have to wait and see what happens in the next few days.
The adequate action of Team Jumbo-Visma is based on the daily testing of riders and staff so that a possible case can be isolated as soon as possible. The use of masks, air purification columns and single rooms are still common practice on the team.
In addition to Team Jumbo-Visma’s seven riders who did not start on Thursday, eight other cyclists also withdrew.
The infection is a blow to Kuss, who was in contention in the general classification for the tour’s overall win.
Kuss remained 10 seconds out of the lead in the general classification after the fourth stage on Wednesday. The 190-kilometer stage had two categorized climbs, including a big one near the finish. After the big climb, the cyclists got an equal downhill to descend and then a flat to sprint to the finish. A big group rode to the finish line together, including Kuss, but Daryl Impey of Israel Premier-Tech was the first to cross in 4:14:09.
Kuss placed 28th on the stage in the same time.
“We tried to position Pascal (Eenkhoorn), Sepp and Sam (Oomen) as well as possible towards the final climb,” said sports director Marc Reef. “Sepp and Sam in particular made a good impression uphill. That is promising for the coming days. Our main goal is to keep Sepp and Sam up front in the coming stages.”
Unfortunately, COVID blocked the team’s goals.
Quinn Simmons of Trek Segafredo finished 126th on stage four, but remained in the KOM lead after both the fourth and fifth stages with 34 points. He is followed by Phillipe Gilbert of Lotto Soudal (12), Andreas Lekessund of Team DSM (10), Alexander Kamp of trek Segafredo and Simon Vitzthum of Switzerland (10).
Simmons finished 57th on the fifth stage, which Alexandr Vlasov of BORA – hansgrohe won in 4:30:28 to become the tour’s fifth different stage winner.
In the points race, Simmons is tied for second with Michael Matthews of Team Bike Exchange Jayco with 14 points, six behind Lekessund.
The Tour de Suisse will feature two more long stages before concluding with a time trial on Sunday.
