![Tour de France favourite Pogacar 'fully recovered' from Covid](https://www.berlinertageblatt.de/media/shared/articles/c8/89/a8/Tour-de-France-favourite-Pogacar--f-871967.jpg)
-
Manhunt underway in US after Kentucky highway shooting
-
Biden team, end in sight, keeps hope on Gaza truce despite setbacks
-
Sabalenka dedicates US Open to family 'who never gave up' on dream
-
Venezuela takes diplomatic jab at Brazil in spat over election
-
Multiple people shot along highway in US state of Kentucky
-
'Super proud' Sabalenka downs Pegula to win US Open thriller
-
In Papua New Guinea, Pope holds mass 'at the edge of the world'
-
Hewett stays positive for wheelchair tennis despite agonising defeat
-
Three things on US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka
-
Sabalenka downs Pegula to win US Open thriller
-
USA men land Paralympic basketball three-peat, Jiang takes 7th swim gold
-
USA slump to first home defeat against Canada in 67 years
-
Argentina hand Australia record 67-27 loss in Rugby Championship
-
England impress on Carsley bow, Germany, Dutch hit five
-
AFP photographer wins top prize for Gaza coverage
-
No Love for Packers for three weeks after ligament sprain: reports
-
Pedro Almodovar: chronicler of modern Spain crowned in Venice
-
Almodovar wins top Venice prize for end-of-life film
-
Trump sounds dark tone at rally, Harris 'ready' for debate
-
Wirtz and Musiala dazzle to kick-start new Germany era
-
Chinese teenager takes 7th gold of Paris Paralympics
-
England interim boss Carsley 'respects' divided opinions over anthem
-
Neuville moves to the front in the Acropolis Rally
-
Garfield, Pugh charm Toronto in new romance 'We Live in Time'
-
21 boys confirmed dead in Kenya school inferno
-
Over 100,000 protest in France against new prime minister
-
Golden 30 minutes takes China to swimming Paralympics swimming domination
-
Green leads Australia to T20 series sweep of Scotland
-
Nigeria, Cameroon win afer chaotic AFCON build-ups
-
Nicole Kidman: A-lister, cinematic chameleon, wins in Venice
-
'I had to prove myself', says Kolisi after win against All Blacks
-
Almodovar wins top prize at Venice film festival
-
Grealish savours England redemption after 'worst summer'
-
Carsley makes flying start as England interim boss in win over Ireland
-
Springboks close on Rugby Championship with storming win over All Blacks
-
Sri Lanka's De Silva and Kamindu Mendis defy England in third Test
-
Farrell's Racing lose on opening day of Top 14
-
Ireland and UK to 'reset' relations as Starmer visits Dublin
-
Dunbar takes second Vuelta stage as Roglic closes in on victory
-
Fritz eyes US Open glory to end 21 years of American hurt
-
Thousands protest in France against new prime minister
-
Death toll from Kenya school blaze rises to 21
-
Brazil's right rallies for 'freedom' after X suspended
-
Trump to hold rally in swing state, Harris preps for debate
-
Stone at the double as Sri Lanka collapse against England in third Test
-
French tennis player takes legal action over online abuse
-
Italy backs Kyiv's 'legitimate defence' as Zelensky presses allies
-
The Body Shop rescued from administration after deal
-
Martin roars to victory in San Marino sprint, extends MotoGP lead
-
Smoke and screams: The horror of Kenya's school dorm inferno
![Tour de France favourite Pogacar 'fully recovered' from Covid](https://www.berlinertageblatt.de/media/shared/articles/c8/89/a8/Tour-de-France-favourite-Pogacar--f-871967.jpg)
Tour de France favourite Pogacar 'fully recovered' from Covid
Tadej Pogacar said Thursday there had been "a little question mark" but he has now "fully recovered" after suffering from Covid 10 days ago as he bids for a third Tour de France triumph.
"I fell ill 10 days ago. I had Covid and there was a little question mark but I am fully recovered," the Slovenian told a press conference in Florence.
Pogacar was Tour de France champion in 2020 and 2021 and is one of the favourites for this year's race which gets underway in the Italian city on Saturday.
"It wasn't so bad. It was just a cold that passed quite quickly," the Team UAE rider told journalists.
"Covid is no longer as virulent, especially if you've had the virus before. I've already had it once, maybe twice even, I don't remember."
The 25-year-old fell ill during a training camp at Isola 2000 in the southern French Alps.
His otherwise "perfect" preparation was also upset by the death of his grandfather, and he returned to Slovenia for the funeral.
Pogacar goes into the 21-day race in red-hot form after winning the Giro d'Italia in May.
Pogacar will battle two-time defending champion Jonas Vingegaard, the Dane who pushed him into the runner-up spot in the past two editions.
He could also become the first rider since Marco Pantani in 1998 to complete the Giro-Tour double in the same year.
Everyone has designated him as the big favourite for the Tour, starting with Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel who deemed him "unbeatable" if he remains "safe and sound".
"The Giro-Tour double is difficult to achieve. It's a big challenge but I'm ready to take it on," he said Thursday.
B.Shevchenko--BTB