Chris Froome out of Tour de France after Covid positive
Chris Froome out of Tour de France after Covid positive
Chris Froome is out of the 2022 Tour de France after testing positive for Covid-19.
The four-time winner of the yellow jersey will not start stage 18 from Lourdes to Hautacam, the final mountain stage of this year’s race.
“Unfortunately, Chris Froome won’t take the start of stage 18 as a test taken shortly before the start has revealed that Chris has contracted Covid,” Israel – Premier Tech said. “The remaining riders all tested negative and are ready to race.”
“Unfortunately I’ve got some pretty disappointing news to share with you this morning,” Froome said in a video statement. “A test has revealed that I have contracted Covid so I won’t be making the start today.”
This Tour has been the best for Froome since his crash at the 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné, with a third-place finish on Alpe d’Huez from the breakaway highlighting progress in his rehabilitation.
“I’m really disappointed to not be able to roll into Paris and finish off this Tour de France,” he continued. “It’s been a really special race for us as a team and for me personally as well. I’ve really been finding my legs again and I just want to thank everyone for their support through this process.”
This was Froome’s 10th Tour and only the second he has failed to finish. Now, he will turn his attention to his next Grand Tour outing at the upcoming Vuelta a España.
“I’m going to head home now,” he concluded, “switch off for a few days and re-focus on being ready for the Vuelta a España later this season.”
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