Tadej Pogacar is the biggest favourite for the upcoming World Championships in Zurich and there are few riders who can realistically match him in the course that will feature 5000 meters of climbing. Jhonatan Narváez was one of them, being one of the few riders who managed to directly beat the Slovenian this year, but he has tested positive for Covid-19.
"After undergoing all the necessary medical examinations, the cyclist has confirmed that he is not in optimal physical condition due to the after-effects of the covid-19," reads the press release from the Ecuadorian Cycling Federation explaining what happened. "He also has discomfort in his shoulder, a consequence of the fall in the first stages of the Vuelta a España. Consequently, the medical team has recommended a period of recovery to ensure a rapid improvement and avoid further complications".
It is far from an ideal situation for the Ecuador team who perhaps lose it's best card. Narváez is a top classics rider who has proven his worth on multiple occasions this year. Last year he crashed out of the race in Glasgow whilst in contention for the first places; and at the Olympic Games there was big drama as the team was only able to select one riders despite being defending champions and the federation chose the INEOS Grenadiers rider instead of Richard Carapaz.
At this moment it is not yet known who will be his replacement. The team will be led by Richard Carapaz who just came off the Vuelta a España with good form; Jefferson Alexander Cepeda, Jefferson Alveiro Cepeda and Jonathan Caicedo next Sunday, September 29 at the start in Winterthur ahead of the battle for the rainbow jersey.
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