Covid-19 has not abandoned the group and our everyday lives. The last case is that of Sepp kuss, the winner of the last Vuelta Espana e faithful squire of Vingegaard will not be at the start of the Tour de France. A major loss for the Visma Lease a Bike in view of the battle that awaits her on the roads of the Grande BoucleYesterday, during the press conference on the eve of the Tour, Evenepoel showed up wearing a mask, while Pogacar told having recently contracted it. But how is Covid being approached by doctors on various teams now? We spoke with Emilio Magni, a doctor at theAstana Qazaqstan Team.
«Since this spring – he immediately explains – there have been cases, an increase compared to previous months. We also had some positive riders in the team, but it's a difficult story to come out of. The symptoms are less severe than during the pandemic; they're practically similar to the flu. The problem is that top-level athletes need to be fit to perform their activities., so even a normal flu becomes destabilizing."
However, tests are still being done to distinguish Covid from the flu.
Yes, because it is right to understand what it is about. The sporting consequences were not significant., but each team has a high number of athletes and they must be monitored and protected.
One of the most serious consequences was the various cases of myocarditis and pericarditis that occurred in positive subjects…
There were not many of them in number, It's clear that even just one case makes us doctors prick up our antennas. Then, several cardiac tests were included to monitor the athlete's health before allowing him to resume his activity.
Are the tests reliable?
The success of the tests to identify a positive case Covid-19 is that they are easy to do and I would also say that they are reliable, especially compared to the beginning.
In what sense?
That in the first years (2020 and 2021, ed.) there were many cases of false positives and negativesSo athletes who tested negative after a few hours were actually positive, and vice versa. Now everything is more straightforward; even a mild positive result is confirmed within a few hours.
So are more tests being done?
Once the first test has been performed and a positive result is detected, another is performed a few hours later. The rider is put to rest and repeats the test independently during the days he is at home every two or three days, until the test turns negative.
Does the protocol still include long breaks?
No, we are in the process of five or six days of inactivity from sporting activity. Once negative, the rider is subjected to the cardiac tests we mentioned before.These are: resting electrocardiogram, stress electrocardiogram, and cardiac color Doppler ultrasound. These are the same tests performed in the "return to play" program.
What if the athlete surpasses them?
Simple, go back to the trainers and start over with the training plan.
Do you think Kuss's non-participation in the Tour de France was correct?
Yes, there was no other way. Aside from the fact that he should have tested negative, but still just a few days before the start of the Tour there would have been no way to do the necessary cardiac testsIt's more a matter of precaution and protection, first of the athlete himself and then of his teammates.
What is the reason for the increase in cluster cases?
Simply a natural relaxation of the protective measures used during the pandemic. Simply put, we no longer wear masks or frequent crowded places.
Is there a risk of the return of masks and the famous bubble?
I wouldn't say so. Also because it wouldn't make much sense. If we were to go back to using masks in teams, this measure would fall when we are in contact with people.We should go back to the bubble, but I think it's impossible, we as a team will try to be more careful. And' a discussion linked to the fact that if an athlete gets sick then the risk is that he infects the team and that we withdraw from the race.
So do you have any special precautions for the Tour?
Since it is a race that attracts a lot of people and we will have events with guests from within the team we will ask for negative testsIf anyone arrives without one, I'll take care of making it for them.
