Chris Froome facing nervous wait to be tested for coronavirus after the UAE Tour was cancelled
CHRIS FROOME was last night locked in his hotel awaiting testing for coronavirus as the UAE Tour was cancelled.
And worried Formula One chiefs will hold crisis talks today over fears the deadly outbreak could KO the season’s first FOUR grands prix.
Four-time Tour de France winner Froome, 34, confirmed the event was axed as two Italians from one of the teams tested positive for the bug.
The Brit tweeted: “We are all awaiting testing and will remain at the hotel until further notice.
“It’s a shame the UAE Tour has been cancelled but public health must come first.
“I hope those affected make a speedy recovery.”
Reports claimed the race hotel, the Crowne Royal Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island, was sealed off late yesterday as a police unit dealing with “chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear” issues moved in.
The Abu Dhabi Sports Council said in a statement: “The decision has been taken to ensure protection of all the Race’s participants.
“Safety comes at the top of all priorities.”
Team Ineos statement
"Following the cancellation of the we are monitoring the situation closely. We will follow the guidance of the relevant authorities and support them in managing this situation. The health and safety of all staff and riders is paramount."
Adam Yates — who was awarded the race having led with two stages to go — and fellow Brit Mark Cavendish were also waiting to be tested along with all riders and staff.
More than 80,000 people in nearly 50 countries have been infected by coronavirus.
Nearly 2,800 have died, with the majority of the deaths in China, although Italy has the most confirmed cases in Europe.
Team Ineos star Froome was returning to racing for the first time since breaking his leg at June’s Criterium du Dauphine.
British Cycling were monitoring the situation after it emerged Dane Michael Morkov rode in the UAE Tour before flying to Berlin for the UCI Track World Championships.
Some Formula One teams fear the opening three races in Australia, Bahrain and Vietnam could be called off.
The Chinese GP has already been cancelled.
LATEST SPORT NEWS
F 1 chief Chase Carey insisted the other three races will go ahead.
But Williams’ deputy team principal Claire Williams said: “It’s a situation that is changing by the hour and we’re reacting accordingly.
“There are a lot of questions that need to be answered.”
Airports in Singapore, Hong Kong and the Middle East are cancelling flights due to the global spread of the deadly bug.
Williams added: “A lot of our team were routed through Singapore to Melbourne and the cost of re-routing is a big problem.”
AlphaTauri, who along with Ferrari and tyre suppliers Pirelli are based in Italy, are also worried.
DEADLY SPREAD: Coronavirus cases in the UK
ANOTHER two cases of coronavirus have today been confirmed in the UK - barely a month since the deadly bug first reached our shores.
The first cases were diagnosed on January 31 when a student and relative were tested positive in York.
The victims were quarantined in Newcastle as UK authorities vowed they would control the virus' spread.
However, by February 6 another patient was diagnosed with coronavirus.
The Brit - businessman Steve Walsh - contracted the bug in Singapore before travelling to the French Alps for a holiday before returning to his home in Hove, East Sussex.
He became known as a superspreader by unwittingly infecting a number of other Brits in France with him.
Mr Walsh, who since recovered, then infected another five people who were treated in the UK.
By February, another patient was taken to Guy's and St Thomas' after contracting coronavirus in China - bringing the total to nine.
Another four cases were recorded just a week later after being flown back to the UK from the plague cruise ship, the Diamond Princess.
The group had been quarantined in Arrowe Park but were quickly moved to a treatment centre.
And now today, Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty confirmed another two patients had tested positive.
The virus was passed on in Italy and Tenerife and the patients have been transferred to specialist NHS infection centres in Royal Liverpool Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital, London.
Team AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost said: “This coronavirus is really serious. We will see what’s going on regarding races in Melbourne and Bahrain.
“We have reduced travelling dramatically.
“People coming from the red zones in Italy should stay at home.
“We don’t want them at the factory.”
The Vietnam race in Hanoi is just 100 miles from the Chinese border — the country where the coronavirus originated.
Meanwhile, Ryder Cup star Edoardo Molinari said he is “still shocked” at his “scary” quarantine.
Molinari and fellow Italian golfer Lorenzo Gagli were forced to withdraw from the Oman Open over fears they may have contracted Covid-19.
But they were both were reinstated after Gagli — who had flu-like symptoms — tested negative.