The Tour de France has reintroduced protective measures against COVID-19, requiring race organizations, media, and guests to wear masks throughout the race and in areas where they will be in contact with riders and team staff.

Race organizer ASO announced the protocol on Sunday morning in response to the rash of COVID-19 cases in the peloton over the past few days. Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers), Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates), and Mikhail Molkov (Astana-Kazakstan) have all been infected with the virus and have abandoned the race, while Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) tested positive for COVID-19 Despite testing positive for COVID-19, he is still participating in the Tour.

Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) has been wearing a mask in the mixed zone before and after stages in recent days, and the Belgian has already asked the organization to implement more stringent measures against COVID-19.

"There are a lot of people at the start and finish; COVID is not only coming into the peloton, but also from outside," Evenpoel said on Friday.

"We don't want to put them in the race, we want to keep them as safe as possible. We don't want to take any risks; I think we should go back to the rules of 2021 and 2022. It's a small invitation to the organization."

Evenepoel, currently third overall, was forced to abandon the Giro d'Italia last year while wearing a maglia rosa due to COVID-19. Tour leader Tadei Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates) revealed before the race that he had contracted a mild COVID-19 infection in June, but downplayed the impact on his preparation.

Following the positive tests of Pidoc and Thomas, Carlos Rodriguez described COVID-19 as an "invisible rival," and on Saturday evening, Le Monde newspaper described the Pyrenees and COVID-19 as the duel between Pogachar and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma Ries à Bike) The newspaper described it as "the next obstacle" in the

On Sunday, ASO announced that masks would be mandatory in the mix zone, finish line, and team bus paddock at each stage.

"To limit health risks, the wearing of masks in various areas of contact with riders and cycling team members is now mandatory," a communiqué announced.

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