Huge twist on the Giro: pink jersey and big favorite of the event, the Belgian Remco Evenepoel is forced to retire after testing positive for Covid. The information was made official on Sunday evening by a press release from Soudal – Quick Step. Before Monday’s rest day, the team members were all tested and the world champion is the only Covid positive.
“I am really sorry to leave the race. Following team protocol, I did a routine test which unfortunately came back positive.Evenepoel commented in the press release. This experience here has been really special and I was looking forward to racing for the next two weeks. I would like to thank the staff and the riders who have sacrificed so much to prepare for the Giro. I will encourage them for the next two weeks. »
A Giro disrupted by the Covid
The pink jersey must return home by car on Monday with his relatives who had come to encourage him this weekend, his team said. Big favorite of the Giro with Primoz Roglic, he had won the first two time trials of the event and had reached the first day of rest ahead of all his rivals. During his first participation in the race, in 2021, he had already given up after a fall during the 18th stage.
This 2023 edition of the Giro was greatly disrupted by the cases of Covid: the Jumbo – Visma team had to do without three riders who tested positive even before the start (Robert Gesink, Tobias Foss and Jos van Emden). This week, Filippo Ganna and Rigoberto Uran also had to leave the race due to the epidemic.
On Tuesday, the race will resume with Geraint Thomas (Ineos) as the new leader in the general clification. The Briton is only two seconds ahead of Primoz Roglic (Jumbo) and five over his teammate Tao Geoghegan Hart.