Giro d’Italia 2023: Geraint Thomas to sport pink jersey on Stage 10 after Remco Evenepoel exits race, RCS confirms

Britain’s Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) will wear the pink jersey for Tuesday’s stage 10 of the Giro d’Italia, race organizer RCS Sport have confirmed to Eurosport after Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) pulled out of the race after testing had to be positive for Covid-19.

The 23-year-old won the individual time trial to reclaim the overall lead, but was forced to retire just an hour later after his test result was confirmed. This made Thomas the overall leader.

RCS Sport have confirmed to Eurosport that Thomas will wear the pink jersey while Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) will take the lead in the youth standings and wear the white jersey.

Furthermore, the race organizer informed that Evenepoel could have continued according to the rules, but the team doctor made the decision to withdraw him from the race.

“The Belgian had to say goodbye to the first Grand Tour of the season after a routine test carried out before the first day of rest came back positive for Covid-19,” Soudal Quick-Step said in a statement.

Evenepoel added: “I’m really sorry to have to leave the race. As part of the team’s protocol, I did a routine test, which unfortunately came back positive.

“My experience here was really special and I was looking forward to competing over the next two weeks.

“I cannot thank the staff and riders enough for sacrificing so much in preparation for the Giro. I will be cheering for them over the next two weeks.”

Patrick Lefevere, manager of Soudal Quick-Step, defended the decision by saying on Twitter: “You never know what’s going on under the skin.” [internally]. This is not a 9-5 job. Zero risk.”

Thomas will have a two-second lead over Jumbo-Visma’s Primoz Roglic, while teammate Tao Geoghegan Hart is five seconds behind.

Geoghegan Hart’s only Grand Tour triumph came at the Giro in 2020, when he stormed to stardom as an alternate Ineos leader after Thomas retired after suffering a pelvic injury from a fall.

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