Remco Evenepoel out of Giro d'Italia after positive Covid-19 test, Geraint Thomas takes leader's jersey

Remco Evenepoel’s hopes of winning the Giro d’Italia are over after he was ruled out of the race following a positive Covid-19 test. The Soudal-Quick Step rider led the general classification by 45 seconds after winning the individual time trial on Stage 9. Ad But just hours after the result it has been confirmed by his team that he will not continue at the race.

Giro d'Italia'Tired' Evenepoel 'starting to feel the effects', expect rivals to pounce – Blythe4 HOURS AGO “The Belgian was forced to say goodbye to the first Grand Tour of the season after a routine test taken ahead of the first rest day came back positive to Covid-19,” said Soudal-Quick Step in a statement. Ineos Grenadiers’ Geraint Thomas will take over the leader’s jersey and will hold a two-second advantage over Jumbo-Visma's Primoz Roglic. Ineos' Tao Geoghegan Hart is five seconds behind Thomas.

“I am really sorry to be leaving the race,” said Evenepoel. “As part of the team’s protocol, I took a routine test, which unfortunately was positive. «My experience here has been really special and I was looking forward to competing over the next two weeks.

“I can’t thank enough the staff and the riders who sacrificed so much in preparation for the Giro. I will be cheering them on over the next two weeks.” Evenepoel wins Stage 9 time trial before shock withdrawal Ganna out of Giro due to Covid-19 Evenepoel was looking to follow up his 2022 Vuelta a Espana win with a second successive Grand Tour victory. He won two stages at the Giro — both individual time trials on Stage 1 and Stage 9 — and wore the pink leader's jersey until Andreas Leknessund (Team DSM) took it after Stage 4.