Giovinazzo (Italy) (AFP)

First positive case for Covid-19 in a grand tour, the Briton Simon Yates withdrew from the Giro before the start of the 8th stage, Saturday morning, in Giovinazzo (south).

The Mitchelton team has announced the abandonment of its leader, already dropped in the standings but obvious candidate for the podium in a race in which he wore the pink jersey for thirteen days, two years ago.

The Briton developed very mild symptoms in the hours following the arrival of the 7th stage in Brindisi on Friday, the Australian team explained.

"The medical team immediately ordered a rapid test which indicated a positive result," said Mitchelton.

"A second test, RT-PCR, was then performed and confirmed the positive result."

Simon Yates, whose symptoms remain very mild, was transported by ambulance for a period of quarantine.

"The riders and staff also underwent a rapid test, which all gave a negative result," said the Australian team, one of 19 belonging to the WorldTour (1st world division).

They have received the green light from the Giro to continue the race and must undergo, as a precaution, further tests in the coming days.

Simon Yates, 28, faltered in the first summit finish last Monday at Mount Etna.

Before his retirement, he occupied 21st place in the standings, 3 min 52 sec behind the Portuguese Joao Almeida, leading the race.

- Routine checks -

"We carry out routine temperature checks," explained Dr Matteo Beltemacchi, team doctor.

"Simon displayed a little temperature. He was isolated in his room and we immediately requested a quick test using the service offer of RCS" (organizing company of the Giro).

The Giro foresees, like the Tour de France before, waves of detection of Covid-19, before the race and during the two days of rest of the big tours.

But the different teams have the freedom to carry out additional security measures themselves and to call for tests, based on initial clues.

On the Tour de France, four people from four different teams (but no rider) had a positive result on the first day of rest, as did Tour director Christian Prudhomme.

All the results were negative during the last wave of detection.

Since the resumption of competitions in August, Simon Yates has justified his status as team leader by taking third place in the Tour of Poland in August and then winning Tirreno-Adriatico in mid-September ... ahead of Briton Geraint Thomas, he has also already taken out of the Giro due to a fall.

The Briton, who will be separated from his twin brother Adam (departing for Ineos) next year, has extended his engagement with the Mitchelton team until the end of 2022.

© 2020 AFP