Despite all 166 riders in the Tour de France testing negative for coronavirus, race director Christian Prudhomme has tested positive and will be out of the race for eight days. After reports in the French media, race organizer ASO confirmed the news Tuesday afternoon, just before the start of stage 10. In a statement, the ASO explained that Prudhomme was not part of the "race bubble" and was not obligated to be inspected on his Monday rest day, but that he was inspected three times before the race on August 6, 20, and 27. However, he was inspected three times on August 6, August 20, and August 27. He does not have to leave the race altogether, as he is not part of the bubble, but will refrain for a week, following French health guidelines. He will be replaced by François Lemarchand, ASO's sports manager, but will return to racing on stage 17 on September 16. 'The results of the testing campaign have revealed that Christian Prudhomme has tested positive for COVID-19. The Tour de France director has been tested for the fourth time in the past month and will be quarantined for the next seven days. Although he was not part of the "race bubble" and had no direct contact with any of the riders or their entourage, Christian Prudhomme still decided to be tested. The "anti-COVID-19" protocol proves enhanced protection for the "race bubble" and distinguishes it from others in the organization. In the absence of Christian Prudhomme, from stage 10 from Ile d'Oléron to Ile de Re to stage 16 from La Tour du Pain to Villars de Reims, Francois Lemarchand, who was in the lead car from Paris to Nice who was in the lead car from Paris to Nice, will take Christian Prudhomme's place in the lead car. Meanwhile, Jean-Michel Monin will replace Francois Lemarchand in Car 3. Prudhomme himself told French news agency AFP that he will miss the Tour for the first time since becoming race director in 2006. I will be away from the Tour for eight days. Under the circumstances, I will do what any other French worker would do. I will watch the Tour on TV.

"The riders are living like ascetic monks. Therefore, I don't belong to the race bubble and I don't have any contact with the riders," he added to France 3. "There are no positive riders. That is the most important thing for me." Prudhomme, a former journalist, worked with former Tour director Jean-Marie Leblanc in 2006, and has taken on the role single-handedly since 2007. Prudhomme's role is to meet with local officials, authorities, and guests at pre- and post-stage ceremonies. During the race, he rides in the lead organizer's car, and when the riders arrive at the zero kilometer marker after the neutral zone opening, he waves from the sunroof to start the race.

He regularly entertains special guests in the car and will continue to do so at the 2020 Tour de France, where French Prime Minister Jean Castex rode with him during Saturday's 8th stage in the Pyrenees. Le Parisien reported that Castex will undergo an inspection and will not be able to attend a government-sponsored seminar on Wednesday.