The abandonment of Remco Evenepoel, who tested positive for Covid following a swab taken by the Soudal Quick-Step team, is the topic of discussion around the Giro d'Italia as the group comes to a halt for the first day of rest. The Belgian abandons the race while leading and having won the two-time trials so far. The Giro loses not only a rider who would have fought for the final victory, but also one of the most popular with the public, the World Champion, and one of the purest talents on the international stage. Evenepoel is not the first rider to be forced to abandon the Giro for this reason. Giulio Ciccone was forced to raise the white flag even before the race began due to a virus, he contracted in the weeks leading up to his departure from Abruzzo. The same fate befell Tobias Foss, Robert Gesink, and Jos van Emden, whose forfeits forced Jumbo-Visma to flee by calling for "reinforcements" at the last moment. The news of Filippo Ganna's retirement had once again shocked Italian fans. The Verbanese phenomenon is a beacon of Italian cycling and one of the most acclaimed anywhere the group passes on the peninsula. Then there was the abandonment of Rigoberto Uran, another of the public's favorite riders. After that, Clement Russo, Nicola Conci, and Giovanni Aleotti must be added to the list. It appears that we have returned to the pandemic of two years ago.
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