Novak Djokovic is the defending French Open tennis champion, but the French government seems intent on avoiding a scenario similar to the court battle of the Serbs who entered Australia without vaccinations. The new rule is expected to apply to hotels where professional cycling races and teams stay.

France requires the presentation of a so-called "health pass" when entering a restaurant or bar, attending an event, or taking long-distance public transportation. The health pass becomes a vaccine pass and stops the use of short-term tests. The vaccine pass will also be required to be presented at sporting events in which the general public participates, and this is expected to include cycling events. Italy has already adopted a similar "Super Green Pass" that restricts the use of hotels for unvaccinated people.

According to Cycling News, only vaccinated riders and staff may participate in the Tour of Saudi Arabia and Tour of Oman, according to national vaccine laws in Middle Eastern countries. A similar law will be enforced in France.

"In order to practice one's profession or to visit for tourism as part of a sports team, one must have a valid vaccination," Malassineanou told French media, explaining the new law and stressing that there are no exemptions. [The same goes for people living in France and foreigners who come here for vacations or major sporting events. Athletes have a role to play in getting unvaccinated people into the vaccine program as soon as possible.

A complete vaccination procedure (two or one dose, depending on the vaccine) is required to obtain a new vaccine pass; after February 15, a third dose is required four months after the previous dose for the pass to be valid. This rule could affect riders and teams aiming for the classics, as well as the Tour de France in July.

Greg Van Avermaert said last week that he would postpone inoculation until after the Classics, but may now have to be inoculated over the weekend. He blamed the vaccine for his poor performance in the second half of the 2021 season.

Malachineanu suggested that 98% of French riders are vaccinated. Most cyclists are supposedly vaccinated, with one team telling Cycling News that it is close to 100%. However, like society, there appear to be a number of athletes and anti-vaccine staff members in the sport who are averse to vaccination.

According to a confidential survey conducted by the UCI and viewed by Cycling News prior to the UCI World Tour Seminar last December, 75% of teams had vaccinated over 80% of their riders and staff. However, there was wide variation among teams, ranging from 40 percent to 100 percent.

The UCI has not yet released the final COVID-19 medical protocol for 2022, and the impact of the Omnicon variant is suspected to have delayed the guidelines.

UCI did not immediately respond to Cycling News inquiries about the French vaccine pass law. The Paris-Nice organizer, ASO, told Cycling News it had nothing to say on the matter.

In the absence of rules and guidance, teams may have to select riders and staff based on vaccination status, which could have implications for privacy and employment law.

With the Tour Down Under in Australia and the Vuelta a San Juan in Argentina cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many leading riders and teams are planning to start the 2022 season in France.

The French calendar for 2022 begins with the Grand Prix de la Marseillaise on Sunday, January 30, followed by the Etoile de Besseges (February 2-6), Tour de la Provence (February 10-13), Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var (February (February 18-20), followed by the Tour de l'Alpes Maritimes et du Var (February 18-20). Paris-Nice will be held March 6-13.

Juan Avermart was expected to make his season debut at Etoile des Besseges.

Julien Alaphilippe (Quick Step-Alphavinil), Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadier), Nairo Quintana (Arkea Samsic), and Philippe Gilbert (Lot Soudal) are expected to compete in the Tour de la Provence.