NZ Cyclists Tested for Coronavirus at Cancelled UAE Tour
One of New Zealand’s champion cyclists is among the athletes restricted to a hotel as they await test results after a coronavirus on the United Arab Emirates WorldTour. The last two stages of the race have been cancelled in light of two staff members testing positive for the virus. The details on which team they belong to have not been disclosed.
Jack Bauer, James Mitri, and NZ title-holder Shane Archbold were scheduled to compete in the race and the event was five stages in before it was abandoned. The Abu Dhabi Sports Council confirmed the cancellation, and Archbold’s team, Deceuninck-QuickStep, released a short statement on social media via explaining what is going on. It said that everyone involved is waiting on test results in the hotel but that spirits have remained high.
Deceuninck-QuickStep stated that the decision was made to test and isolate participants immediately to ensure that everyone is protected, as safety is the top priority.
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This Tour was going to be Archbold’s first race since the emotional victory he secured at the recent NZ Championships. His win was an incredible comeback for the rider from Timaru after he broke his pelvis in a horrific accident at the Tour de France in 2016.
Chris Froome, one of the biggest names on the WorldTour and four-time winner of the Tour de France was also scheduled to compete, and Adam Yates, Bauer’s teammate on the Mitchelton-Scott squad, was in the lead after five stages.
