Juan Ayuso, competitor of Evenepoel on the Vuelta, tested positive for covid but at the start of the 13th stage

Covid has struck once more on the Vuelta: the UAE Team Emirates team announced the positive test of its leader Juan Ayuso, 5th in the general classification, before the start of the 13th stage in Ronda. But the Emirati team specifies that the Spaniard will be able to continue the race.

In accordance with the UCI protocol in place, the wearer of the white jersey by proxy can continue the race. The reason ? Ayuso is asymptomatic and has a very low viral load, which means he poses little risk of contagiousness to other runners. “A case similar to what we had during the last Tour de France”, specifies the UAE team in its press release.

“We took the decision in consultation with the doctors of the organization and the UCI”, added the team doctor Adrian Rotunno, “we know the state of health of Juan and we will follow his situation of very close.”