'It's a shame to be out of the game': Michael Matthews just happy to be healthy after false positive at Giro d'Italia
The Australian was forced to withdraw from the Italian Grand Tour following a positive coronavirus test but has subsequently returned two negative tests
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TCM9sYbmPdRVLWp5VizUug-415-80.jpg)
Michael Matthews at the 2020 Giro d'Italia (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
Michael Matthews says it's a shame to be out of the Giro d'Italia after a false positive Covid-19 result but is ultimately happy to be healthy and not have contracted the virus.
"On the first rest day of the Giro I tested positive and the same day I was taken off the race. The next morning I took another test and it turned out negative. That was good news. On Wednesday I got another PCR test and it was also negative. Of course, I am very happy with that," Matthews said in a video message posted on his Instagram.
"But most importantly I am healthy, just like my team and the peloton around me - because all tests came out negative. On the one hand, it is a shame to be out of the game but I am happy that I am fit and healthy and that I do not have Covid-19. On Monday, I will undergo another test. So hopefully it is also negative and I am 110 percent corona free."
These additional negative results, while frustrating for Matthews, will be welcomed by his team-mate Wilco Kelderman, who currently sits second place on GC, 40 seconds down on race leader João Almeida (Deceuninck - Quick-Step).
"They are doing very well. We rode very well until the rest day. Since then they have continued their fight for the pink," Matthews added.
Meanwhile, Sunweb's Tiesj Benoot was forced to skip Gent-Wevelgem after he had sat at the same dinner table as fellow pro rider Jan Bakelants, who's season ended prematurely after he tested positive for the coronavirus last week.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"They regarded it as a 'positive contact'. You can discuss this, but according to the protocol of the UCI and the teams, the team made the only right decision," Benoot told Het Laatste Nieuws. "I watched Gent-Wevelgem on TV. Nice to see, but I would have preferred to race it myself. Especially since it was one of the toughest finals in years.
"Anyway, it happened and I can't do anything about it anymore."
Instead, Benoot will turn his attention to the Tour of Flanders, where he has recorded three top 10 finishes previously.
"I feel ready. You have Van Aert and Van der Poel. Below that is a large group of 15, 20 riders who have a chance. I include myself in that," Benoot said.
Thank you for reading 20 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
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
Unbound Gravel lottery opens two months early, ensuring riders are 'more prepared than ever'
Registration for the 2025 Unbound Gravel will open on Friday, November 1, 2024, and close two weeks later, on November 15. Lottery winners will be announced on November 21, 2024.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Star triathlete Taylor Knibb to take on world's fastest cyclists in the Olympic time trial
Colorado-based 26-year-old Taylor Knibb will be representing Team USA in both the individual time trial and triathlon at the Paris Olympics.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Five things we learned from the second week of the Tour de France 2022
Sprinters take matters into their own hands in the week two of the race
By Stephen Puddicombe Published
-
Michael Matthews gambles and surprises by climbing to first Tour de France stage win in five years
BikeExchange-Jayco rider attacks from break and triumphs on steep finish up to Mende
By Adam Becket Published
-
Simon Yates misses out on Tour de France selection
Team BikeExchange-Jayco opt for sprint focussed line-up focused on Dylan Groenewegen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Michael Matthews storms to victory on opening stage of Volta a Catalunya
Australian wins for a second time in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, outsprinting Sonny Colbrelli
By Adam Becket Last updated
-
Michael Matthews retests negative for coronavirus after leaving Giro d'Italia
The Australian's initial positive may have been a false positive
By Jonny Long Published
-
Giro d’Italia 2020: Michael Matthews withdraws from race after coronavirus diagnosis
Michael Matthews has withdrawn from the Giro d’Italia after testing positive for coronavirus.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Michael Matthews pulls out of Sunweb contract early to re-join Mitchelton-Scott
Michael Matthews is leaving Sunweb before the end of his contract to re-join his old Mitchelton-Scott squad.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Michael Matthews takes the Bretagne Classic 2020 in a select sprint finish
The Australian took the win after his team-mate made a gap in the peloton in the closing stages
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published