Patrick Lefevere, the boss at Sam Bennett’s Deceuninck-QuickStep team, has told Belgian media three cycling teams have confirmed cases of coronavirus.
He made his remarks after the final two stages of UAE Tour were cancelled due to the virus.
Today’s stage and tomorrow’s were cancelled after it was confirmed last night two members of staff at UAE Team Emirates had tested positive for the virus.
But Lefevere has claimed two other WorldTour teams also
have one case each, which would make for four cases.
He has also said there were too few testing kits available to the medical staff checking the riders and team and race staff at UAE Tour.
“I don't know if they are riders or employees,” Lefevere told Belgian media of the two cases in two other teams that he knew of.
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“There are too few test kits
at the moment, so only people who show symptoms of disease are checked.”
While Lefevere has claimed there are two other teams impacted, nobody else in cycling – including the two teams – has confirmed his claims.
Jasper Philipsen, the young
Belgian sprinter riding with UAE Team Emirates, said he did not know much about
the two cases in his team.
“I don't know much more than
what's in the news either. The teammates must now stay in their room there,” he
said.
“I am worried about it,
because I think we have not seen the latter,” added, Philipsen, explaining he was
now concerned Milan-Sanremo, Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico could be at
risk.
“If I can't ride Sanremo,
then we'll have to see what we're going to do. That will not be an easy issue
for many.”
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