The historic Tour de France has been hit hard by the corona virus.
Even before the competition, half a dozen skiers were forced to say no after testing positive.
Despite strict restrictions with constant worm-carrying within the stables, it does not appear to have succeeded in keeping the infection away.
Ahead of Saturday's eighth stage, which runs from French Dole to Lausanne in Switzerland, two skiers have thrown in the towel.
First out was the Frenchman Geoffrey Bouchard, who drives the AG2R Citroën stable.
“During the climb, I felt bad.
It's a big disappointment because we were just about to get to my favorite terrain;
mountains.
It was my first Tour de France and it's sad that it ends like this.
I wish my teammates all the best and send them all my strength ", says Bouchard in a statement.
Then came the news that Vegard Stake Laengen's Tour de France is also over.
The Norwegian drives for UAE-Emirates - the same stable as Tadej Pogacar in the yellow leader jersey.
- It's a big disappointment.
I have a little sore throat and hoarse voice, otherwise everything is fine, says Stake Laengen to Norwegian TV2 according to NTB.
However, most cyclists have chosen to continue the tour.
Tadej Pogacar was defeated when the eighth stage was summed up.
Won did Belgian Wout van Aert before Michael Matthews and just Pogacar who had to settle for a third place.
The Slovenian continues to lead the total in the Tour de France and aims to take his third straight overall victory, just 23 years old.