Belgian cyclist Remko Evenepoel, the favorite for the Tour of Italy, has withdrawn from the race after being diagnosed with Covid-19, his Soudal-Quick Step team said.

Remko Evenepol, the leader of the Tour of Italy, has to withdraw due to a positive test for Covid-19

“I am very sorry that I have to leave the race. As part of the team’s protocol, I did a routine test, which unfortunately turned out to be positive,” said the world champion, who just took over the leader’s pink jersey after winning the 9th stage, lefigaro.fr reports. News.ro.

“My experience here has been really special and I can’t wait for the last two weeks. I thank the coaching staff and riders who made so many sacrifices to prepare for this Giro.

I will be cheering them on for the remaining two weeks,” added the 23-year-old, who his team say is due to return to Belgium by car on Monday.

Remko Evenepol, who has already withdrawn from his previous participation in the Giro in 2021, was the heavy favorite for this 106th event, along with Slovenia’s Primož Roglic.

His forced retirement came after he had just won the second stage of the Giro d’Italia in Cesena, one second ahead of Geraint Thomas and two ahead of fellow Ineos Briton Thao Geoghegan Hart.

In the general classification, he was 45 seconds ahead of Thomas and 47 seconds ahead of Roglich before Monday’s day off.

He is the fifth rider to withdraw from the 106th edition of the Giro after testing positive for Covid-19, following Frenchman Clement Rousseau (Arkea-Samsic) and Italians Nicola Conchi (Alpecin), Giovanni Aleotti (Bora) and Filippo Gunn. (Ineos).