“Remco Evenepoel is out of the Tour d’Italia due to covid-19. The Belgian had to abort his first major Tour of the season after a routine test performed before the first rest day came back positive for covid-19”, reads in the press release published on the official website of the Belgian formation.
The current long distance world champion, aged 23, led the Tour of Italy 45 seconds ahead of Britain’s Geraint Thomas (INEOS), who is now ‘promoted’ to first overall. Due to the loss of Evenepoel, the Portuguese João Almeida (UAE Emirates) rises to fourth place, behind the Slovenian Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) and the Briton Tao Geoghegan Hart (INEOS).
“I am devastated to announce my withdrawal from the Giro due to Covid-19. […]. My experience here was really special and I was looking forward to competing in the next two weeks.”
The 2022 Vuelta champion bids farewell to the Giro wearing the ‘maglia rosa’ and having conquered two stages, today’s time trial, in which he beat Thomas by just one second, and the first stage.
Source: DN
