Giro d'Italia director Mauro Veni reiterated the team's desire to finish in Milan on October 25, despite two riders and six team staff testing positive for COVID-19 on the first rest day.

Steven Kruijswijk (Jumbo Visma) and Michael Matthews (Team Sunweb) were named as riders infected with the virus, and Jumbo Visma has decided not to continue the race.

Four staff members from Mitchelton Scott and one each from Ineos Grenadier and AG2R La Mondiale also tested positive for the virus. Mitchelton-Scott also withdrew Simon Yates from the Giro d'Italia after he tested positive during the first week.

Veni said that all teams that tested positive for COVID-19 will undergo a rapid secondary test before the start of the stage to Tortoleto on Tuesday and further testing on Thursday to try to identify further cases before the second round of wet fluid testing on Monday's second day of rest He explained.

In Italy, spectators are now required to wear face masks outdoors and maintain a social distance. The Italian government plans to tighten the rules in response to more than 4,000 new positive cases per day in an effort to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

With 12 stages still to go in this year's Giro d'Italia, some believe the race is on the precipice. However, Veni seems determined to ride all the way to the finish in Milan on Sunday, October 25.

"I definitely want to reach Milan for the Giro d'Italia," he told Italian television station RAI before the start of the 10th stage to Tortoreto.

"I would say at any cost, barring major problems or medical issues, we knew that holding the Giro in October would be a problem. We are doing everything we can to get to Milan with all the questions and challenges."

Veni spent a sleepless night after the positive case was found late Monday.

RCS Sports performed 571 PCR swab tests between Sunday evening and Monday morning, and the swabs were transported to Milan and tested at a private laboratory; RCS Sports also secured thousands of rapid saliva tests for other tests during the rest day.

"Since our start in Palermo, we have done 1,500 tests. If we suspect anything, we will ask each team for a (rapid) test," Begni explained, admitting that he is concerned that other cases will appear in the coming days.

"The tests are indicative of the situation today. There is no guarantee that the virus won't explode," he said.

"The teams that have had problems, like Sunweb, Jumbo, Ineos, and AG2R, were tested today and will be tested again on Thursday to make sure that no one on the team is infected. Nothing more can be done."

Veni said he agreed with Mitchelton Scott's decision to withdraw from the Giro d'Italia after five people on the team and staff were infected in Italy.

"It is a real shame to lose a team like Mitchelton Scott, but we have talked to them and we think it is the best decision ethically and medically.

." We all decided it was better for them to leave the race because of the number of people on the team and who knows how many other cases will be discovered in the future."

On Tuesday, there was quite a crowd at the start in Lanciano, and Veni called on the spectators and everyone in the Giro d'Italia to do everything possible to keep the race going.

"We continue to educate the public and everyone in the race caravan. We must be the first to act to protect ourselves from the virus."