Covid virus is circulating in the Tour de France again: Morkov goes home with Covid, Bahrain Victorious also suffers

It’s a bitter pill for the Dane, who had announced his retirement as a professional cyclist on the rest day. Just three days later, his Tour career ends. "Michael tested positive for COVID-19 both Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. He feels good and has no symptoms, but the medical staff decided to pull him out."

"This is mainly to protect his health in the long term and to minimize the effects of the virus," said Astana Qazaqstan Team in a press release before the twelfth stage. Morkov is crucial for sprinter Mark Cavendish, who had also previously seen his Italian lead-out man Michele Gazzoli withdraw.

Other teams are also struggling with illnesses. For instance, Cofidis lost Alexis Renard and Ion Izagirre on Wednesday. "I've been feeling sick for a few days. In consultation with the doctor, I decided to start and be as cautious as possible. That worked at the beginning of the stage, but not after a point. Continuing would have been senseless, especially in the Tour de France," said the Spaniard. Tim Declercq (Lidl-Trek) decided not to start for the same reason.

Something is also lurking around at Bahrain Victorious. Some riders are traveling to the start in separate cars and wearing masks, noting that riders like Pello Bilbao, Matej Mohoric, and Fred Wright are not approaching their normal form. Bilbao lost a lot of time on Wednesday, and Wright even failed to make the time cut.

"I don't know what it was, but I just had no strength. I didn't have it in the finale on Tuesday, but now I didn't have it all day. It was the worst day of my career, I wouldn't wish this on my enemies," said the Brit after finishing. He too will not start on Thursday, while Bilbao had to leave the race during the stage.

Mohoric spoke on behalf of the team to Sporza before the stage. "We've tested and there are no positive COVID tests. But some riders indeed don't feel great. We have to wait and see if it passes. I myself didn't feel good after stage six, but now I'm feeling better."