Giro d’Italia 2020: Fernando Gaviria tests positive for coronavirus for second time this year
The Colombian sprinter was forced to quarantine early in 2020 after catching the virus at the UAE Tour


Fernando Gaviria has tested positive for coronavirus for the second time this year, forcing him to pull out of the Giro d’Italia.
UAE Team Emirates sprinter Gaviria returned a positive test for Covid-19 on the Giro’s second rest day on Monday (October 19), as the all riders and team staff were screened for the virus.
This is the second time Gaviria has contracted the illness, after he was forced to isolate after catching coronavirus at the UAE Tour in March.
Gaviria is the fourth rider to pull out of the Giro with coronavirus, after Simon Yates, Steven Kruijswijk and Michael Matthews all tested positive in the first 10 days.
However after leaving the race, Matthews' result was revealed to be a false positive after he was re-tested.
According to a joint statement from Giro organiser RCS and the UCI, 492 tests were carried out on the second rest day, but only two people in the race bubble tested positive for coronavirus - Gaviria and one staff member from AG2R La Mondiale.
Both have been left in the care of their team doctors to undergo isolation.
UAE Team Emirates said: "After undergoing a PCR test on yesterday’s Giro d’Italia rest day, UAE Team Emirates’ Fernando Gaviria has tested positive for COVID-19.
"All other riders and staff returned a negative test, and will undergo further testing today.
“The teams medical staff are monitoring the situation closely and doing all they can to ensure the we can proceed safely.
“Gaviria was immediately isolated following the test result and is feeling well and is completely asymptomatic. This is the second time the Colombian has tested positive for the virus, after also having it in March.”
>>> WorldTour team bikes update: Mitchelton-Scott, Jumbo-Visma and Sunweb all swap machines
Gaviria was kept in isolation for almost a month earlier this year after he and a number of other riders and team staff tested positive for coronavirus at the UAE Tour earlier this year, as the race was cancelled due to an outbreak.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex is the digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter and now as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output.
Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) and joining CW in 2018, Alex has covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.
Away from journalism, Alex is a national level time triallist, avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
Five talking points from stage eleven of the Giro d’Italia 2022
The Cycling Weekly highlights package from the stage which finally saw an Italian win at the home race this year
By Luke Friend • Published
-
Strava acquires injury prevention app Recover Athletics to provide personalised prehab
Evidence-based exercises are claimed to help athletes stay injury-free
By Anna Marie Hughes • Published
-
Fernando Gaviria frustrated as gearing issue stops him from fully sprinting on Giro d'Italia stage five
UAE-Team Emirates rider has to settle for second in Messina
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'Maybe I am out of my comfort zone' — Tadej Pogačar ahead of his first Tour of Flanders
Two-time Tour de France winner says it is going to be a "crazy race" on Sunday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
João Almeida victorious on top of Boí Taüll on stage four of the Volta a Catalunya
UAE Team Emirates rider wins stage, but Nairo Quintana moves into leader's jersey
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar wins Strade Bianche with stunning solo attack
The UAE Team Emirates rider becomes the first Tour de France winner to win the Italian classic
By Pete Trifunovic • Published
-
Matteo Trentin sprints from the front to win Le Samyn
Italian rider triumphs out of leading group on tough day in Belgium
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'Having a team like this gives you goosebumps': Pogačar credits team after UAE Tour triumph
Slovenian takes control of leader's jersey after stage four
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar 'pretty happy' with fourth place in UAE Tour time trial
The Slovenian sits fifth on general classification after three stages
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'Nonconformist' Marc Hirschi 'makes cycling spectacular' and will return to previous levels after injury setbacks
The Swiss rider will start his season later due hip surgery, the injury that has troubled him for three years
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published