Stage 12 of the Vuelta a Espana will see the peloton thinned out further, as Santiago Buitrago of Bahrain - Victorious was forced to abandon before the race reached the high mountains where he was expected to perform.
The Colombian had shed time in the opening week and had not been a factor in the race until then. After winning the Saudi Tour, a stage at the Giro d'Italia and the opening hilltop finish at the Vuelta a Burgos, Buitrago was expected to come to the Vuelta with the GC on his mind, or possibly stage wins in the many mountainous days. However he will have to wait, as this morning the team announced he had been infected.
Without Mikel Landa in the fight for the overall classification, Bahrain's ambitions now lay mostly on stage hunting, but also on supporting Gino Mäder who sits in 18th place at the start of stage 12.
🏥 @SantiagoBS26 will not start stage 12 of @lavuelta due to a positive Covid-19 test with mild symptoms. All other riders and staff have returned negative tests. The team will start the race today with 6 riders. Get well soon Santi! #RideAsOne #LaVuelta22 📸 @cauldphoto
