MADRID, 31 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The English cyclist Simon Yates, leader of the BikeExchange-Jayco Team and winner in 2018, left the 2022 Vuelta Ciclista a España on Wednesday after testing positive for COVID-19 before the start of the eleventh stage, as confirmed by his team.
Yates was currently in fifth position in the general classification, 4:50 behind the leader, the Belgian Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl), so his abandonment will allow the Spanish Juan Ayuso (UAE) to rise to the ‘Top 5’ .
Team BikeExchange-Jayco noted that the 30-year-old rider “experienced mild symptoms” overnight Tuesday and tested positive “morning” Wednesday. “In accordance with strict team policy, Yates will not continue in La Vuelta,” said the team, which “will carry out further tests to ensure the safety of other riders and members of staff.”
“Overnight our rider Simon Yates had some symptoms of COVID-19 with mild fever and body aches. We ran a test this morning and unfortunately it has come back positive. Therefore he will not be taking the start line of today’s eleventh stage, the health and well-being of the cyclist being our priority”, admitted Dani Castillo, doctor of the Australian formation.