Breaking: Tim Declercq out of Tour de France with Covid-19, Cavendish and Sénéchal possibly in for Quick-Step

Covid-19 has caught up with Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team, as Tim Declercq tested positive after arriving in Copenhagen for the Grand Depart of the Tour de France. This leaves an open spot in Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team which can be filled by several riders who have their own arguments to be in the race.

Mark Cavendish and Florian Sénéchal had been riders that were mentioned as substitutes in case this were to occur. The Frenchman would be the obvious choice taking into account his role in Jakobsen's leadout, his newly acquired French national champion jersey and his availability to be in a domestique position. However Cavendish would be chasing for a 35th win which would be a record-breaking one, although it would be hard to imagine how the chemistry would be between the Briton and the rest of the team - besides not filling the hole left by Declercq.  

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Julian Alaphilippe is also a possibility, the World champion was expected to be in Copenhagen but the team decided that it would give the Frenchman more time to recover from his injuries in order to prepare for the latter part of the season.

Sporza also named Rémi Cavagna and Josef Cerny as possible alternatives, more to replace the role of Declercq who will have long kilometers in the head of the peloton in the flat stages in order to chase for Fabio Jakobsen.

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Corona slaat toe nog voor de eerste rit is gereden: werkmier Tim Declercq mist de Ronde van Frankrijk sporza.be/nl/artikels/co… #TDF2022

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