Second rider leaves Vuelta a España due to Covid positive

Jan Hirt follows Dan Hoole home from Spain

Jan Hirt of Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert
(Image credit: Getty Images)

A second rider has headed home from the Vuelta a España after contracting Covid, as the pandemic still looms large over the final Grand Tour of the year.

Jan Hirt of Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert departed the race ahead of stage six, with his team confirming that he tested positive on Thursday morning.

Intermarché wrote on Twitter: "Unfortunately, Jan Hirt will not appear at the start of stage 6 after returning a positive test for COVID-19 this morning. See you back on the roads soon, Jan."

Ruben de Gendt, the team's doctor, said: "We closely monitored Jan Hirt the last couple of days until a test this morning showed the presence of Covid-19. Jan presented mild symptoms and was isolated from the group immediately. He will withdraw from this Vuelta."

Meanwhile, Trek said on Wednesday: "He's done a fantastic job in the opening days but unfortunately Daan Hoole will not start La Vuelta 2022 stage 5.

"Daan woke up with a slightly sore throat this morning and a subsequent rapid COVID-19 test returned a positive result. Get well soon Daan. We will miss you."

Burgos-BH duo Manuel Peñalver and Angel Madrazo and AG2R Citroën's Dorian Godon both tested positive before the start of the race, and were therefore replaced. At July's Tour de France there were 17 positive tests in the peloton, which contributed to just 135 riders making the finish in Paris.

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Adam Becket
News editor

Adam is Cycling Weekly’s news editor – his greatest love is road racing but as long as he is cycling, he's happy. Before joining CW in 2021 he spent two years writing for Procycling. He's usually out and about on the roads of Bristol and its surrounds.

Before cycling took over his professional life, he covered ecclesiastical matters at the world’s largest Anglican newspaper and politics at Business Insider. Don't ask how that is related to riding bikes.