Michael Woods has become the final rider to be forced out of the Tour de France due to a positive Covid-19 test, with the Canadian rider missing out on the final stage into Paris today.
His Israel Premier Tech team confirmed the disappointing news in a brief statement on social media on Sunday morning just before the Paris finale.
"While we are all looking forward to the final stage in Paris today, unfortunately, Michael Woods won’t take the start as he has returned a positive Covid test," it said.
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Israel Premier Tech is now down to four riders, with Chris Froome and stage 5 winner Simon Clarke having also been forced to abandon the race due to positive Covid-19 test results.
Woods crashed in the opening week of the race, which was a major blow to him as he spent the next phase of the Tour trying to recover. He then recovered and went on the attack on stage 16 into Foix, where he played the defensive team mate role for compatriot Hugo Houle, who attacked solo to win.
Woods was 3rd on that stage, his best result of the race, and also went on the attack on stages 14 to Mende and 18 to Hautacam. He was now expected to target La Vuelta later in the year.
Despite the Covid-19 withdrawals, his team enjoyed its best ever Tour de France, with two stage wins and a comeback, of sorts, for Chris Froome who placed 3rd when the riders raced to Alpe d'Huez.
