"It's obviously a heavy blow for us" - BORA-hansgrohe on Aleksandr Vlasov's Giro d'Italia blow out

Given how the race was shaping up and his performances, especially in second time trial, Aleksandr Vlasov could have been one of the great protagonists for the final podium battle. However, the Russian had to raise the white flag during the stage 10, becoming part of the long list of riders withdrawn from this Giro d'Italia.

The captain of Bora - hansgrohe lost the wheels of the peloton after a few kilometres, he tried to hold on, but was forced to get into the car, leaving the Giro d'Italia.

After retiring, Vlasov tested positive for Covid-19. According to RadSportNews reports, the Russian had been tested, like the whole team, during the rest day on Monday and was negative, without any symptoms.

"He told us he didn't feel very well before the race," according to the sporting director of Bora-hansgrohe, Enrico Gasparotto. "But we weren't worried. After a few kilometres, however, he remained behind bunch and said he had no strength in his legs. At that point it was clear that he wouldn't be able to finish the stage."

The Covid test conducted in the evening then gave a positive result, with Vlasov complaining of exhaustion and a sore throat: "It's obviously a heavy blow for us," commented sports director Jens Zemke. "It's a pity we lost Aleks, all of us put great effort in the preparation for this Giro d'Italia and he had also done a great performance in the Cesena time trial."

Aleksandr Vlasov retired from Giro d'Italia from 7th spot in the general classification while not being all too far behind the race leader, Geraint Thomas. Vlasov is yet another name on the rapidly extending list of riders who withdrew the Corsa Rosa with Covid, including Remco Evenepoel and Domenico Pozzovivo, whilst others have been suffering with crashes and the rough weather.