Blast on Giro d’Italia: Remco Evenepoel also out

Remco Evenepoel, goodbye Giro d’Italia

New tegola for the Giro d’Italia, which has lost another major player on the road.

Belgian rainbow winner Remco Evenepoel, after taking the stage and the Maglia Rosa, received the news that he was Covid positive. It is the sixth case since the start of the race, following those of Russo, Aleotti, Conci, Uran and Filippo Ganna.

Evenepoel a few hours before he abdicated had confirmed himself as unbeatable against the clock at the Giro d’Italia 2023: after winning the opening time trial in Ortona, the Belgian cyclist of Soudal Quick-Step had also made Sunday’s time trial starting in Savignano sul Rubicone and finishing in Cesena, at the end of a 35-kilometer course. Beaten by just 1″ Geraint Thomas and 2″ Tao Geoghegan Hart, both of whom ride for Ineos Grenadiers.

Evenepoel had also regained the pink jersey, lost in the Lago Laceno stage, but in the evening came the blow.

The new leader of the general classification thus became precisely Ineos Welshman Geraint Thomas, who in the standings now has a 2″ lead over Primoz Roglic and 5″ over teammate Tao Gheoghegan Hart.