Tom Dumoulin positive for Covid-19, to miss Strade Bianche

Several high profile riders have this morning been confirmed to miss Strade Bianche which is set to take place tomorrow. Tom Pidcock and Lennard Kämna are between them, but Tom Dumoulin will miss the race as he is faced with an unexpected positive test for Covid-19 which will take him out of competition for a few weeks.

Dumoulin has struggled with back issues at the UAE Tour's summit finishes but with an impressive third place at the race's time-trial he seemed to be back to competition in great form. This morning Jumbo-Visma issues a press release with Tiesj Benoot's ambitions and the lineup did not include the Dutchman, which has in the meantime tested positive for Covid-19 this morning according to Wielerflits.

“I have a good feeling about my first races for the team. You can train well and feel good during a training camp, but it is important to see this confirmed in races. Although I joined the team rather late, my preparation went smoothly," said Tiesj Benoot who will be leading the team tomorrow in hopes of matching his win of 2018. He has recently debuted at Jumbo-Visma at the opening weekend where he showed great form and was on the attack at both Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne.

"The altitude training in Tenerife has certainly paid off. The atmosphere in the team was excellent and we are well attuned to each other. We brought those good mechanisms to the races, which was nice to see. It gives me confidence for what will follow," he concluded.