Israel - Premier Tech travelled to Australia with high ambitions but they may have suffered an important blow as Simon Clarke tested positive for Covid-19 and is uncertain to participate in the Tour Down Under.
"Simon Clarke has tested positive to covid in his pre-race test but is currently asymptomatic," read a statement from the team. "Simon will stay home in Victoria and skip the criterium on Saturday before joining the team in Adelaide for the stage race once he produces a negative test.
His presence is however far from certain in the race, which starts in only five days. Clarke, a Tour de France stage winner last summer, has finished second in the recent Australian national championships.
He was touted as a big contender for the overall classification and stage wins seeing the amount of hilly stages present in this year's edition. Israel will also feature the likes of Chris Froome, Daryl Impey and Corbin Strong as options.
Update: Simon Clarke has tested positive to covid in his pre-race test but is currently asymptomatic. Simon will stay home in Victoria and skip the criterium on Saturday before joining the team in Adelaide for the stage race once he produces a negative test. 🇦🇺 #TourDownUnder
