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Former Pro cyclist Filippo Pozzato hospitalized with Severe Pneumonia after catching COVID

40 year old fell ill and said “I should have got vaccinated earlier, but I felt in good shape focusing on my new Races and Granfondo”

Former Pro cyclist Filippo Pozzato hospitalized with Severe Pneumonia after catching COVID

The former pro didn’t have time to enjoy the well-deserved applause for organizing his pro races for pros and a Gran Fondo. The three road and gravel event were staged from 13 to 17 October named Ride the Dreamland, which included the Giro del Veneto and the all-new Serenissima Gravel race.

Now Filippo Pozzato has been hospitalized at the San Bortolo hospital in Vicenza, pneumology department for Covid, “I began to feel bad on Friday 22 October, three days before I got vaccinated."

The former Venetian champion said he was set for a vaccine for Monday 25 October, but began to feel unwell. Chills, fever, then the difficulty of breathing, getting stronger and more insistent, he said "this is no joke, for three days here in Vicenza in hospital, they took care of me".

Pozzatto was receiving a supplemental oxygen supply but is not on a ventilator, although that would be the case if his situation deteriorates further.

“I have severe pneumonia. I am attached to oxygen to open my bronchi, but if I get worse they will put a mask on me,” he said.

He continued "I hope to recover as soon as possible, and go back to work, but now my priority is to rest and get better. I am climbing a great mountain, but it is not a pleasant one!".

"Should I have got the vaccine first? Of course yes, but I was in good shape focusing on my new Races and Granfondo, but now I have to think a little about myself."