When a routine test brings down the goal of a season. Leader of the general classification after his victory in the time trial counting for the 9th stage, Sunday, Remco Evenepoel was forced to retire in the evening because of a positive test for Covid-19. A real thunderbolt on the Giro, of which the Belgian world champion was the big favorite.

'With a heavy heart'

His forced renunciation deprives this 106th edition of the highly anticipated duel with Primoz Roglic, who promised a lot by the finish in Rome on May 28. The race was just going to really get started with the first mountain stages from Friday.

"It is with a heavy heart that I announce that I will have to leave the race. As part of the team's protocol, I performed a routine test that unfortunately came back positive," Evenepoel said in a statement. My experience here has been really special and I was looking forward to the last two weeks. I thank the management and the riders who made so many sacrifices to prepare for this Giro. I will encourage them for the remaining two weeks. »


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— Remco Evenepoel (@EvenepoelRemco) May 14, 2023

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Winner of the Tour of Spain, the Belgian phenomenon was attacking the second phase of his plan to eventually win the three Grand Tours, after a thunderous start to the season, marked in particular by his victory over Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

Geraint Thomas new leader

Everything had started well for him at this Giro where he flew over the inaugural time trial on May 6, before crashing twice on Wednesday during the fifth stage and being slightly behind Roglic on Saturday. But there was no indication that the Belgian was affected by the coronavirus. He had just confided Sunday night after the clock not to feel his best. "I hope I don't get sick," he said in a sentence that unfortunately became prophetic for him.

Evenepoel was 45 seconds ahead of Geraint Thomas and 47 seconds ahead of Primoz Roglic, before the rest day on Monday. On Tuesday, when the race starts again without him, it is therefore the 36-year-old British veteran, winner of the Tour de France in 2018, who will wear the pink jersey. Roglic will be second at two seconds.

  • Cycling
  • Sport
  • Giro
  • Remco Evenepoel
  • Covid 19