Mathieu van der Poel and his Alpecin-Fenix team have quit the UAE Tour after a positive Covid-19 test within their team group.
Their withdrawal means they will not take part in the stage 2 TT today. It is a major blow for the race especially as Van der Poel was a star name in the field and was leading the race having won the opening stage yesterday.
"We can confirm that we have withdrawn from the race. More information will be given soon. The well-being of everyone involved is our main concern," the team said before following up immediately with a longer statement (below), which was also released by the race organisation.
"AlpecinFenix, in agreement with the UAE Tour organiser, have decided to withdraw its team from the race, in order to safeguard the race bubble and ensure the safe continuation of the race," the race organisers said in a statement on Monday morning.
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"The team was notified of one positive result of a member of its staff from the round of tests conducted on Sunday evening, 21st of February.
"Upon receiving the results, the person immediately went into isolation, and all those who came into contact with this person are self-isolating, in compliance with the protocol measures put in place by the race organisers and UAE Health Authorities.
"All team members will undertake further tests in the coming days, while they remain in isolation."
More to come.
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