AG2R-Citroen have today reported two positive antigen tests for covid-19 for Andrea Vendrame and Jaakko Hanninen.
The two riders will not take to the start for today’s 7th stage of the Vuelta. The team were already forced to replace Dorian Godon from their selection following a positive test just before the Gran Salida in Utrecht.
Vendrame, who won a stage at the 2021 Giro d’Italia, and Hanninen, who came 4th overall at the Tour de l’Ain earlier this month, were both part of the team providing support for the GC campaign of the team’s Australian leader Ben O’Connor. The loss of two team mates at such an early stage in the race will be a body blow for O’Connor, who was forced to withdraw from the Tour de France with a hip injury after a poor run of luck saw him suffer a number of crashes and mechanical issues.
The covid positives are not the first at this year’s Vuelta. Dan Hoole (Trek-Segafredo) withdrew prior to stage five, with Jan Hirt (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert) leaving a day later.
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