Froome pulls out of Tour de France due to COVID

Four-times champion Chris Froome has pulled out of Tour de France after contracting COVID-19, the Briton said on Thursday, adding that he would focus on being ready for the Vuelta a Espana next month.

The Israel Premier Tech rider took third place on stage 12 atop the L'Alpe d'Huez, which was his best performance since a career-threatening crash three years ago.

"A test has revealed that I have contracted COVID so I am not going to be making the start today," Froome said in a video on Twitter just as stage 18 was beginning.

"I'm really disappointed not to be able to roll into Paris and finish this Tour de France... I am going to head home now, switch off for a few days and refocus on being ready for Vuelta a Espana later this season."