Simon Yates, who wore the maglia rosa during the 2018 Giro d’Italia, was pulled from the 2020 race due to positive Covid-19 test results. Photo: Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse
Britain’s Simon Yates, who wore the maglia rosa for 13 days during the 2018 Giro d’Italia, will not continue in this year’s Italian Grand Tour after testing positive for Covid-19.
The Mitchelton-Scott rider’s medical team was called in after Yates appeared to show mild symptoms a few hours after finishing the seventh stage yesterday. After the test showed a positive result, a second RT-PCR test confirmed the diagnosis.
During this process the 28-year-old was isolated in his room. He has since been safely transported off the race by an ambulance that was made available by the organisers and will be quarantined for a period of time so that his team can offer him the best care available.
“Simon’s health remains our main concern and, thankfully, his symptoms remain very mild and he is otherwise in good health,” the team’s doctor, Matteo Beltemacchi, said. “We want to thank the RCS for their support in arranging the quick testing and his transport.”
The rest of his team, including staff members, have been tested and showed negative results. They will undergo further tests in the coming days as a precaution.
