Four-time champion Chris Froome tested positive for Corona at the Tour de France and has to retire.
This was announced by his Israel-Premier Tech team before the start of the 18th stage. Froome, who won the Tour in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017, was 26th overall.
“I’m disappointed not to go to Paris. It was a very special race for me after I found my form again,” said Froome, who finished third overall on the queen’s stage to Alpe d’Huez. The 37-year-old announced that he wanted to start at the Vuelta.
In addition to Froome, there were two other corona cases on Thursday. Spaniard Imanol Erviti and Italian Damiano Caruso also had to retire after testing positive. This was announced by the teams Movistar and Bahrain-Victorious. The riders who did not play a role in the general classification only show mild symptoms. A total of 15 drivers have now dropped out of the tour because of Corona.