Virologist Marc Van Ranst explains why continuing to race with covid is wrong: "It's not a walking race from Wilsele to Leuven, is it?

Although Remco Evenepoel is not the first rider to abandon this year's Giro d'Italia and more than likely he will not be the last, questions have been raised after the Belgian's departure about whether or not covid remains a threat. Virologist Marc Van Ranst explains why it is unwise to carry on racing after a positive test.

"Of course, it's not a walking race from Wilsele to Leuven, is it? Evenepoel has made the right decision for his health," Van Ranst tells Sporza about the threat of covid on a rider during a three-week stage race. "Moreover, you still live there in a group. You can't manage to infect everyone there, even now that the virus is less strong than before. Corona no longer has the full power as it used to, but still..."

Departing the Giro d'Italia whilst wearing the Maglia Rosa will of course be a huge disappointment to Evenepoel. How the Soudal - Quick-Step leader contracted the virus is still unknown though. "Remco will not have gained it on the bike, but in a place with poor ventilation and a lot of people, such as the press room before the start," Van Ranst explains. "I don't think Evenepoel will have much corona. It will still be in an early stage. I just hope the tests were done properly and that it wasn't a false positive."

"Sports people feel the effect less. It shows once again what a great athlete Evenepoel is," he continues. "Maybe it immediately explains why his lead was smaller than expected."