Simon Yates at the top of Etna, in October 2020 -
SIPA
The Briton Simon Yates has tested positive for Covid-19 and is withdrawing from the Giro, his team Mitchelton announced on Saturday before the start of the 8th stage in Giovinazzo (south).
Simon Yates, winner of the 2018 Vuelta, was one of the candidates for the pink jersey in the Giro d'Italia.
His case is the first to have occurred to a Giro rider since the start.
The Briton developed very mild symptoms on Friday in the hours following the arrival of the 7th stage in Brindisi, explained the Australian team.
#Giro UPDATE: @SimonYatess will not start today's stage of the @giroditalia following a positive COVID-19 result.
“Simon's health remains our main concern and, thankfully, his symptoms remain very mild & he is otherwise in good health.”
Full details 👇https: //t.co/SX1Hwhf8Ex
- Mitchelton-SCOTT (@MitcheltonSCOTT) October 10, 2020
“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."
Isolation
Yates, whose symptoms remain very mild, was isolated in his single room during the process, his team added.
He was then transported by ambulance for a period of quarantine.
"The riders and the staff also underwent a rapid test, which all gave a negative result", underlined the Australian formation, one of the 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.
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