Chris Froome, farewell Tour de France: he’s Covid positive

Italy’s Damiano Caruso and Spain’s Imanol Erviti were also blocked by the virus.

“Hi guys, unfortunately I have bad news to share with you. This morning a test revealed that I have contracted Covid, so I cannot be at the start today. I am very sorry that I cannot make it to Paris and finish this Tour. It was a very important race for us, for the team, but also for me: I finally got my legs back. I would like to thank everyone for the support, and now it’s time to go home and try to prepare for the Vuelta a España.”

With these words, entrusted to his Twitter profile, Kenyan-born, naturalized British cyclist Chris Froome-already a four-time winner of the Grande Boucle-announced his withdrawal from the Tour de France due to having contracted the virus. The same fate befell Italy’s Damiano Caruso and Spain’s Imanol Erviti, who tested positive in a checkup before the start of the 18th stage of the French race.