Giro d’Italia chief and favorite Remco Evenepoel needed to withdraw from the race on Sunday after testing optimistic for coronavirus.
Key factors:
Remco Evenepoel has regained the pink jersey earlier than his optimistic COVID take a look at compelled him to withdraw from the raceThe 23-year-old Belgian rider was the favorite to win the general title after main till the tip of the fourth stageThe choice to withdraw was primarily based round group guidelines, fairly than guidelines for the occasion
Evenepoel had received the day’s particular person time trial to reclaim the chief’s pink jersey.
However his Soudal Fast-Step group later introduced that the world champion had returned a optimistic take a look at for COVID-19 after the tip of Sunday’s ninth stage.
“I’m actually sorry to be leaving the race,” Evenepoel mentioned.
“As a part of the group’s protocol, I took a routine take a look at, which sadly was optimistic.
“My expertise right here has been actually particular and I used to be wanting ahead to competing over the subsequent two weeks. I am unable to thank sufficient the workers and the riders who sacrificed a lot in preparation for the Giro. I can be cheering them on over the subsequent two weeks.”
The remainder of the group and workers had been examined and had been all detrimental.
Evenepoel had additionally received the opening time trial in dominant trend and had led the Giro till the tip of the fourth stage.
The 23-year-old Belgian had a 45-second lead over new race chief Geraint Thomas, who rides for Ineos Grenadiers. Primož Roglič, who was thought of Evenepoel’s strongest challenger, was two seconds additional again.
Evenepoel, who received the Spanish Vuelta final yr, has had depressing luck in Italy.
He crashed out of the 2021 Giro, the one time he has competed within the Italian Grand Tour. That was Evenepoel’s first race again after a critical accident the earlier yr that left him with a damaged pelvis after a crash despatched him flying off the aspect of a bridge.
That additionally occurred in Italy, within the Tour of Lombardy.
AP
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