Egan Bernal has tested for Covid-19 less than a week after winning the Giro d’Italia 2021.
The Ineos Grenadiers leader had been scheduled to fly home to Colombia this weekend, but instead will be forced to self-isolate in Europe.
Bernal, 24, was the dominant rider in the 2021 Giro, winning two stages and taking home the maglia rosa 90 seconds ahead of Daminao Caruso (Bahrain Victorious).
But Bernal’s celebrations were cut short when he tested positive for coronavirus during a routine test on Thursday (June 3), as he was scheduled to fly home.
In a statement released a day after the positive test, Ineos Grenadiers said: “Egan Bernal has tested positive for Covid-19 following a routine test on Thursday ahead of his planned return to Colombia this weekend.
“He will now self-isolate at his European base according to the necessary guidelines. He has displayed mild symptoms but is in good health.
“Egan still plans to return to Colombia once his isolation period is over to mark his Giro d’Italia victory in his homeland.”
The Colombian cycling federation also confirmed Bernal’s positive on social media.
As part of the strict coronavirus measures at the Giro the entire race bubble, including riders and team staff, were tested for coronavirus on each of the two rest days during the race. No one tested positive for coronavirus during the Giro d’Italia.
Bernal claimed victory in the Giro on Sunday (May 30) following an individual time trial in Milan, as he comfortably finished ahead of Caruso and Simon Yates (Team BikeExchange).
The 2021 Giro was Bernal’s second Grand Tour victory, after he won the 2019 Tour de France in hugely impressive fashion.
After struggling through back problems last season, Bernal came back to take a monumental victory in Italy.
While his schedule for the rest of 2021 has not been confirmed, Bernal said he will not be riding the Tour de France and is likely to miss the Olympics.
But he did say he hopes to compete in the Vuelta a España later in the year.
-
-
La Course 2021: All you need to know about the one-day race
The 2021 race will take place on the same roads as the men's opening stage finishing with a hilly course in Landerneau
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Who are the Americans riding the Tour de France 2021?
Just four riders from the US have been picked to take part in the race around France
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Rohan Dennis to join Jumbo-Visma from Ineos Grenadiers, reports suggest
The Australian joined the British team two years ago but it looks like he is on his way out
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
-
Egan Bernal meets Pope Francis: 'It's the most beautiful experience in my life'
The Giro d'Italia winner joins Peter Sagan in gifting the Pope a bike
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
-
Egan Bernal set to travel back to Colombia after recovering from Covid-19
The Giro d'Italia champion had to self-isolate in Europe before he could fly home
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Ineos Grenadiers will continue to ride Pinarello bikes after new contract extension
The British WorldTour squad have been on Pinarello bikes since their founding in 2010
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Giro d’Italia was Remco Evenepoel’s ‘first defeat,’ says Patrick Lefevere
Evenepoel went into the Giro as one of the favourites despite a lack of racing due to injury
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Giro d'Italia 2021 ratings: how did each team perform?
Team ratings from the 2021 Italian Grand Tour
By Stephen Puddicombe •
-
Egan Bernal 'empty' after Giro victory, doesn't think he'll be able to race Tour de France
Egan Bernal won the Giro d'Italia 2021 but doesn't think he'll be good enough to go on to race the Tour this summer
By Jonny Long •
-
Five talking points from stage 21 of the Giro d'Italia 2021
The final talking points from the 104th Giro d'Italia
By Stephen Puddicombe •
