Riders quarantined in UAE finally get bikes and turbo trainers with 10 days still left on lockdown
The three teams can get back to training


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Riders still quarantined in the UAE can now get back to training after they had bikes and turbo trainers delivered to their rooms.
There are currently three teams – Cofidis, Groupama-FDJ and Gazprom-RusVelo -being held in their Abu Dhabi hotel after the UAE Tour was abandoned because of a coronavirus.
Health authorities in the country say there are six new cases of the Covid-19 virus, apparently connected to two previous cases on the race.
On Wednesday evening, the UCI announced that the riders being held would be released by March 14 at the latest, meaning they will have been kept in their hotel rooms for more than two weeks.
Thanks to the race organiser RCS, the riders in the hotel have been given their bikes and turbo trainers so they can keep their fitness up while they’re under quarantine.
Cofidis rider Nathan Haas said on Instagram: “Never in my life have I been so happy to be doing an ergo. Finally moving my body after six days.
“Thanks to the crew here in Abu Dhabi who accessed me a trainer and bike earlier this morning. Then about half an hour after the bike arrived we got the news that our teams that the team bikes were going to be released from the paddock. So finally we have exercise.
“I think I can actually see the light now that I can use my body and keep my brain sane.”
Groupama-FDJ has been forced to announce it will not be able to race in the coming weeks because of the quarantine.
A statement from the team said: “Lacking sufficient numbers of available riders and staff, partly due to the quarantine period observed in the UAE, our team regrets to announce its inability to take part in upcoming Strade Bianche [since cancelled], GP Larciano and Tirreno-Adriatico.”
>>> Strade Bianche has been cancelled
According to the Abu Dhabi authorities and the UCI, six people still under quarantine have tested positive for Covid-19 and have been taken to hospital for monitoring.
Those who have been in contact with the patients are being kept in their rooms for more tests.
A statement from cycling’s international governing body said: “The UCI continues to closely follow the situation and is committed to ensuring that all those concerned can return home as soon as possible. It is also taking care that there is optimal communication with the concerned teams so that they are informed on a daily basis of the evolution of the situation.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
'The hardest ride': Matt Downie beats Mark Beaumont's NC500 record by an hour
26-year-old completes 516 mile course in 27 hours 30 minutes dead to set new best time
By Adam Becket Published
-
5 Kickstarter products to help your commute
We take a look at some of the most backed products from the Kickstarter program and beyond
By Joe Baker Published
-
'We'll continue fighting for stages': Buoyant Cofidis target yet more Tour de France success
The French team claim their second victory of this year's race, well and truly ending their status as the Tour's whipping boys
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
‘I'm angry and disheartened’ - Arnaud Démare left out of Tour de France by Groupama-FDJ
David Gaudu and Thibaut Pinot will head up French team at home Grand Tour, Démare to leave FDJ at end of season
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
21 things you didn't know about David Gaudu
The Frenchman has a Siberian husky and is an avid trail runner
By Tom Davidson Published
-
UCI launches investigation into massive men's Tour of Flanders pileup
World governing body also investigating road-blocking team tactics used by DSM in the race as well as by Trek-Segafredo at Dwars door Vlaanderen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Lefevere suggests UCI is 'short of cash' after fining Alaphilippe
Soudal Quick-Step rails against the ruling body after his French team leader is penalised for removing his helmet while racing
By Peter Cossins Published
-
An ode to Thibaut Pinot, the man who taught us to feel
The 32-year-old will retire at the end of this season, calling time on a career of highs and lows
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Simon Geschke: The most under the radar rider of the year?
The German Cofidis rider came third at the Tour de Romandie and almost won the mountains jersey at the Tour de France
By Adam Becket Published
-
'When there are 10 guys coming into the finish, I want to be one of them' - Lewis Askey on WorldTour life
Young British Groupama-FDJ rider has signed new contract with team until 2025
By Adam Becket Published