Tadej Pogacar lost a key helper in the mountains as Juan Ayuso abandoned early on stage 13 of the Tour de France.
Ayuso was ninth overall going into the stage to Pau, but climbed off the bike in the opening 30 kilometers after falling off the back of the bunch. According to AS, the young Spanish rider recently tested positive for Covid.
“Juan felt unwell during stage 12 and symptoms unfortunately worsened overnight,” said UAE Team Emirates medical director Dr. Adrian Rotunno on X. “Clinically he was cleared to start, however his sensations on the bike were not good and [he] withdrew from the race, he will go home now for rest and ongoing monitoring.”
Ayuso had been eating separately from his teammates and arrived at the start of stage 13 alone in a van.
This is a big blow for Tadej Pogacar in his fight for Tour de France victory as the race leader will approach the high mountains of the race without a strong climber.
