Slovenian Primoz Roglic has abandoned the Tour de France to recover from injuries sustained in a crash during the first week of the race, the 2020 runner-up confirmed on Sunday.
"To allow my injuries to heal properly, we have decided that I won't start today," Roglic said before the start of the 15th stage, a 202.5-km ride to Caracssonne.
Roglic, who suffered a dislocated shoulder and multiple bruises when he crashed in the fifth stage, sacrificed his own chances this week with repeated attacks that eventually allowed his team-mate Jonas Vingegaard to take the overall lead from defending champion Tadej Pogacar.
"I'm proud of my contribution to the current standings and I trust that the team will realise our yellow (jersey) and green (jersey for the points classification) ambitions," Roglic added.
Roglic may now focus on recovering to take part in the Tour of Spain and gun for a fourth consecutive title.
Meanwhile, Magnus Cort Nielsen and Simon Clarke have become the latest Covid-19 withdrawals on the Tour after the two stage winners were pulled out of the race by their respective teams.
"Magnus Cort woke up this morning with a headache and fever and has since tested positive for Covid-19. He will not start stage 15 of the Tour de France. His medical evaluation is ongoing," his EF-Easy Post said in a statement.
Dane Cort Nielsen won the 10th stage in Megeve.
"After an internal routine test carried out by the team, unfortunately Simon Clarke has returned a positive Covid test. Therefore, Simon won't take the start of stage 15," Israel-Premier Tech said of their Australian rider.
Clarke won the fifth stage of the Tour in Arenberg.
Clarke's and Cort Nielsen's withdrawals mean that eight riders have now been pulled out of the Tour because of Covid-19.
