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George Bennett was forced to give up the Tour de France (file photo).
Kiwi rider George Bennett has been forced to withdraw from the Tour de France after testing positive for Covid-19, forcing defending champion and current race leader Tadej Pogacar to miss one of his key helpers for the second half of the tour.
Bennett is the second UAE Team Emirates rider to retire from the race after contracting Covid-19, while Norwegian rider Vegard Stake Laengen withdrew last week.
UAE Team Emirates said Bennett’s positive test had been picked up during routine rest day testing.
“On Monday evening George showed some symptoms and according to our protocol he was tested for Covid-19 and gave a positive result. That’s why he won’t start today,” said Adrian Rotunno, medical director of the team.