Giro d’Italia: Remco Evenepoel gets out in the lead because of a positive corona test after a stage win

The 23-year-old wrote that he was really looking forward to the next two weeks of racing. The previous nine stages were “something special” for him. “I can’t thank the staff and the riders enough. They sacrificed a lot for the Giro in preparation,” said Evenepoel.

Despite the forced task, he looks back “very proud” on two stage wins, both in time trials, and four days in the pink jersey at the start of the tour.

Evenepoel also did not finish the race at his first Giro start in 2021, when he got out after the 17th stage due to the consequences of a fall. In 2022 he won his first three-week national tour with the Vuelta a Espana.

The Belgian will start the journey home in the car on Monday, the tests of all other team members were negative. The Giro entourage meanwhile moves on and, after the rest day on Monday, will resume the race with the 10th stage on Tuesday – with a new wearer of the pink jersey.

Giro: New overall top within seconds

But this further expands concerns about the corona virus at the Giro. Evenepoel is already the sixth Corona case on the tour, including the two-time time trial world champion Filippo Ganna from the top team Ineos Grenadiers who has already had to finish the race, as has his Italian compatriot Giovanni Aleotti from Bora-hansgrohe.

On Sunday evening, Team EF Easypost also announced the departure of Colombian Rigoberto Uran, who also tested positive after showing mild symptoms.

Before the start of the race, Roglic’s jumbo team had to change its squad for the Giro several times due to several cases.