Veteran cyclist Michael Morkov has withdrawn from the Tour de France before the 12th stage due to a COVID-19 infection, his Astana team announced on Thursday. The 39-year-old Dane tested positive for the virus on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. Despite feeling well and not exhibiting major symptoms, the Astana medical staff decided to pull Morkov from the race as a precautionary measure.
Morkov, who is set to retire at the end of the year, has a decorated cycling career. He won a stage in the 2013 Spanish Vuelta and secured the gold medal in the Madison track race at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago. His plans to compete at the Paris Games are now uncertain due to this setback.
Stage 12 of the Tour de France is a flat 204-kilometer (126-mile) route from Aurillac to Villeneuve-sur-Lot in southwest France. Morkov’s withdrawal highlights the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19 for athletes and sporting events. The focus now shifts to his recovery and the impact this setback might have on his future plans, including the Paris Games.
