Covid-19 hits Tour de France as first rider abandons infected, Geoffrey Bouchard

The Tour de France had seen staff members out of the race due to Covid-19, however this morning the first rider abandoned the race with the virus, Geoffrey Bouchard of AG2R Citröen Team.

The French rider tested positive ahead of stage 8. In a press release he has stated: "During the stage, I did not feel well. It’s a huge disappointment because we were just getting to my favorite terrain, the mountains. It was my first Tour de France and it’s sad to end it like this. I wish my teammates a lot of success and I send them all my strength for the rest of the Tour de France".

The positive case doesn't come as a surprise to many as AG2R Citröen Team have started the race with an infected rider - Bob Jungels - and now consequently have the first abandon due to the situation. In the upcoming days it will be seen if the situation develops.

Although support for Ben O'Connor was AG2R's priority at the start of the race, the Australian has since left behind his GC ambitions giving the team more freedom to chase stage wins. Bouchard was to be a contender for the hilly stages. He was making his Tour de France debut, with the secondary goal of fighting for the KOM jersey which would see him obtain it in all three Grand Tours.