The Vuelta a España ran its full course from the Basque Country to Madrid without a single confirmed case of coronavirus infection.

According to Spanish news agency EFE (opens in new tab), 45 members of the Guardia Civil, Spain's national police force tasked with enforcing road closures and ensuring public safety, tested positive after Sunday's final stage.

A total of 150 police officers engaged in the Vuelta were tested in Madrid on Sunday evening and returned with their results on Tuesday. In the meantime, they returned to their respective hometowns without knowing their results.

Jucil, the employees' union of Guardia Civil, issued a statement saying that the situation "violates the guidelines set by the health authorities" and called for tighter protocols to protect the officers.

"Such a mistake must not happen again. We recognize that in a pandemic of this severity, such a situation could occur, but the leadership of the Civil Guard must be more determined and diligent in the future and set forth more efficient prevention protocols," the statement said. [We will continue to monitor the condition of our colleagues who must undergo quarantine and the resulting disruption to their personal lives. We hope that our affected colleagues can count on adequate health cover and that they can resume their duties soon."

EFE

EFE did not highlight any serious symptoms among the 45 officers, but symptoms usually appear a few days after exposure and reportedly take up to two weeks.

The UCI issued a press release on Monday about the successful rescheduling of the 2020 season, and Vuelta organizer Javier Guillén, race director, told the Spanish press about the 18-stage Vuelta to be held in October and November.

"First of all, there is a great sense of satisfaction and relief," he said. And also the feeling that if things go well health-wise, a lot of projects will be successful," Guillén told AS (open in new tab)."

"Wearing a mask, keeping your distance, and reducing your friendships ...... and other measures are effective, and I think the bubble has shown us that these measures are effective," he said. The peloton's bubble in the Vuelta followed that dynamic and sent a very positive message and example to society."