Covid continues to ravage Grand Tour pelotons in 2024; Astana Qazaqstan Team's Harold Martin Lopez abandons Vuelta a Espana on first rest day after positive test

Whilst the hype surrounding Covid has died down massively over recent years, the concern within the professional cycling peloton surrounding the disease is still very prevalent.

At each of the Grand Tours this year, a number of riders have been forced to leave the Giro d'Italia, the Tour de France and now the Vuelta a Espana prematurely after testing positive. The latest of these comes on the first rest day of the Spanish Grand Tour in the form of Astana Qazaqstan Team's Harold Martin Lopez.

"Unfortunately, Harold Martin Lopez will not be able to continue the race," announce Astana Qazaqstan Team's official social media accounts. "On today’s rest day Harold Martin reported feeling unwell to the team doctor, further examination and tests confirmed Covid infection. We wish Harold Martin Lopez a speedy recovery!"

With Covid clearly having infiltrated the peloton, those remaining will need to be on high alert in the coming days in order to avoid a similar fate to Lopez and the likes of other victims, Joao Almeida, who saw his Red Jersey challenge end prematurely due to a positive test.