The number of corona-related failures in this year’s Tour of Spain has increased to at least 17.
Before the start of the tenth stage on Tuesday, professional cyclists Harry Sweeny (Australia/Lotto-Soudal), Jose Herrada (Spain/Cofidis) and Ethan Hayter (Great Britain/Ineos Grenadiers) withdrew from the Vuelta after testing positive.
Two-time stage winner Sam Bennett also tested positive on Tuesday morning, as his German racing team Bora-hansgrohe announced on Twitter. Apparently the virus is spreading in the field of drivers, there have been 14 cases since Friday.
The world cycling association UCI had issued the “urgent recommendation” to test the riders and all members of a team closely. Among the at least 17 drivers who tested positive is Nikias Arndt from Buchholz, for whom the Tour of Spain ended prematurely on Saturday.