Groupama - FDJ down to seven riders at Vuelta a Espana as Jake Stewart is forced to abandon

Jake Stewart has been forced to abandon the Vuelta a Espana before the start of stage eight, leaving Groupama - FDJ with seven riders left at the race and without one of their leaders.

The Briton tested negative for Covid-19, however the team has announced his abandon due to an unspecified illness. Stewart finished seventh - second in the bunch sprint - yesterday in Cistierna and was showing great form. He was active and on the attack on the hilly stage to Bilbao where he played a key role in helping Rudy Molard take on the red jersey, and was only taken away from stage contention with a few kilometers to go as he cramped.

Groupama - FDJ have hence lost their fast man for the end of the race, Stewart who was aiming for the hillier sprints later in the sprint. The team will be chasing stage wins, whilst possibly supporting Rudy Molard in his GC aspiration as he sits in second place in the GC.