Aru & Pinot- Poor Performances Might be Covid-19 Related
I’ve been following the TdF more closely than I normally do and have shared the disappointment of Fabio Aru (Stage 9) and Thibaut Pinot (Stage 8/9) who both seem to have lost their legs much earlier than they thought possible. In each case, there are previous injuries and medical issues that may be the explaining factors but one elephant in the room has to be Covid-19.
At the start of the year, I had two inexplicable weeks of training where I felt ‘alright’ but my power was down by around 10% – which is quite a lot. After the two weeks, all was good and I’ve gone on to bigger and better sporting things albeit those ‘bigger things’ being PBs up the real Box Hill (not Zwift!) rather than the Col de Peyresourde.
The timing for me of my inexplicable poor performance was linked to the rise in CV-19 cases and I can’t help but think at least one of the two mystery performances might not be rider-related.
My understanding is that there is mass rider-testing on today’s rest day, so perhaps we shall see. Of course, even if my suspicions appear to be proved wrong I’ll just say that the tests aren’t always accurate 😉
PS Hirschi definitely deserved the win yesterday!
More: letour.fr
Last Updated on 24 January 2026 by the5krunner
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Aru had terrible fitness level even before the Tour started (as confirmed by team consultant Beppe Saronni) and honestly has been quite bad for the last 2-3 years.
Pinot is still suffering after the stage 1 crash (back pain).
Seems really a stretch to link these to Covid tbh
let’s see.
IIRC there is something different about the cv19 testing that they are doing with the riders today.
The 2h test is not a legit test? that would be incredible if there was over 50% of the peloton getting very sic after the tour, this probably would be the downfall of amaury
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-france-bubble-to-be-covid-19-tested-over-next-two-days/
and
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bora-hansgrohe-rider-tests-negative-for-covid-19-hours-after-positive-test/
4 staff members only: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/tour-de-france-2020-no-riders-test-positive-for-coronavirus-but-four-staff-members-have-466939
although there were some other re-tests required.
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/deceuninck-quick-step-staff-member-needed-second-coronavirus-test-after-laboratory-error-466923
^^ this !