Simon Yates has become the first big general classification contender forced out of La Vuelta due to Covid-19. The British rider, a 10-time Grand Tour stage winner and Vuelta winner in 2018, tested positive for the virus ahead of Wednesday's stage 11.
He placed 7th in yesterday's TT, sat 5th overall and his withdrawal from the race comes after he was forced out of the Giro back in May due to a crash-related injury.
His BikeExchange-Jayco team - where Ireland's Eddie Dunbar is headed next year - is in need of ranking points to avoid World Tour relegation and his withdrawal from the Spanish Grand Tour is a big blow in that regard.
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The team said Yates "suffered with mild symptoms overnight and returned a positive test this morning, and in accordance with strict team policy, Yates will not continue in La Vuelta".
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Dani Castillo, the team's doctor, added: "During the night our rider Simon Yates had some Covid-19 symptoms with a light fever and body aches.
"We carried out a Covid-19 test this morning and unfortunately, he has returned a positive test result, and will therefore not be taking to the start line of today’s 11th stage, with rider health and wellbeing our priority.”
The team added it would carry out further testing in an effort to identify any more cases.
