The Covid-19 got the better of Remco Evenepoel: will he go to the Tour de France in July?

It is therefore a real bomb that fell this Sunday evening. Remco Evenepoel will therefore not go after his dream: to win the Tour of Italy eight months after winning the Vuelta. A few hours earlier, he had a smile in front of the press but still said he had “fear of getting sick”. He had also explained, the day before, not having had good legs. We put it down to his fall on Wednesday but, perhaps, it was symptoms of the virus.

Disaster for Remco: affected by the Covid, Evenepoel leaves the Giro

Before the start of the Giro, when the coronavirus had already affected several riders, including three teammates of Primoz Roglic, the world champion had said to be careful and to be cautious. He had decided to occupy a room alone for three weeks. But that was not enough and he was contaminated in turn. The rest day of this Monday, he will spend it focusing on the future. “He is different from the others. As soon as something negative touches him, he turns it into a positive to get up even stronger”explained Toon Cruyt, the team doctor a few days ago.

In July at the Tour de France?

From now on, will he have to set new big goals? Which ? Will his team finally decide to line him up at the start of the Tour de France on July 1, as his experience in Italy has been cut short. We will soon have the answer. Still, the double winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège does not have a love affair with the Giro. In 2021, he had already had to retire four days from the finish, after falling.

The general classification is now dominated by Geraint Thomas, two seconds ahead of Primoz Roglic. It is to bet that these two will remain more than ever on their guard.