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COVID strikes team of defending Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar

COVID strikes team of defending Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar

This story first appeared on Velonews.com

Tadej Pogačar is losing a key helper on the flats at the Tour de France after Italian rider Matteo Trentin returned a COVID-19 diagnosis Wednesday.

Trentin, who was expected to provide Pogačar with support in the stage 5 run across the cobbles, is out of the race.

Marc Hirschi will replace him.

“Unfortunately Matteo Trentin tested positive for Covid-19 and won’t start this year’s Tour de France,” a press note read. “Though disappointed he feels well and is not displaying any symptoms at this point. Marc Hirschi will step-up to take his place in the team.”

COVID-19 continues to impact the Tour peloton just days ahead of Friday’s start.

Tim Declerq (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) was also removed from the Tour lineup, and the lead sport director at Jumbo-Visma is also sidelined with a coronavirus diagnosis.

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