Thread by @elisaperego78

There are concerns about a "mysterious illness" going through the pelaton at the top cycling event Tour de France. Several racers were reported to be affected already days ago. Since then, star M. van der Poel has withdrawn with pneumonia while R. Evenepoel left feeling "empty"

One of the most prominent racers affected by the "mysterious illness" was superstar and current Tour leader Tadej Pogačar, who lamented cold symptoms but remains in the race. Van der Poel also had cold symptoms, which has now progressed to pneumonia

rmcsport.bfmtv.com/cyclisme/tour-…

Tadej Pogačar told reporters on Sunday "Am I sick? Thanks for checking in, actually I'm better, it's almost over" He added: "I have a bit of a runny nose, a bit of a cough, but I'm not really sick. It's just a bit of a pain in the *ss."
Pogačar currently remains Tour leader

Others have been in worse shape. Star M. van der Poel said he felt weakened last Sunday. "How am I feeling after this cold? Not great. I'm not recovering well," he lamented at the start in Muret. He raced but later had to be taken to the hospital and was diagnosed with pneumonia

Steff Cras, the Belgian leader of TotalEnergies, left the Tour de France in tears on the first slopes of the Col du Tourmalet. "Our Belgian climber Steff Cras, who was ill at the start this morning, has been forced to abandon the 14th stage of the Tour de France," his team said.

A few minutes later, star Remco Evenepoel also left the race, feeling "empty" and concerned about the rest of the season. Remco, who was leader of the white jersey and 3rd overall, had felt not ok for 3 days in a row (it remains unclear if he had a virus)

cyclingnews.com/news/it-just-w…

"Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) was given oxygen at the summit of the Mont Ventoux and taken to hospital after a gruelling Stage 16 of the Tour." He suffered from abdominal pain. He is reported to feel better and maintained his 8th overall position

tntsports.co.uk/cycling/tour-d…