As the Tour de France convoy turned into the Alps, the shadow of Covid infection hung over the peloton, after the UAE Emirates team of race leader Tadej Pogacar lost a key support rider, Vegard Stake Laengen.
“Vegard tested negative yesterday morning but he reported sore throat symptoms late Friday night,” the team doctor, Adriano Rotunno, said. “The Covid-19 antigen test was positive, and the diagnosis was confirmed on a PCR test this morning. As per protocol, for his, the team, and the peloton’s safety, he will be withdrawn from the race.”
