Primoz Roglic out of Tour de France due to injury, Magnus Cort and Simon Clarke withdraw with Covid-19

ByRob Hemingway

Updated 17/07/2022 at 10:40 GMT

Primoz Roglic has taken the decision to withdraw from the Tour in a bid to recover ahead of the Vuelta a Espana, which begins on August 19 and for which the Slovenian - if fit - should be one of the favourites. EF Education–EasyPost's Magnus Cort and Israel-Premier Tech's Simon Clarke have also both left the race due to contracting Covid-19.

Primoz Roglic has made the decision to withdraw from the Tour de France ahead of the start of Stage 15.

Roglic suffered a nasty fall on Stage 5 from Lille to Arenberg, colliding with a hay bale in an incident that left him with excruciating back pain.

The Slovenian carried on bravely through the Alps section of the race, fulfilling a critical role in getting Jumbo-Visma team-mate Jonas Vingegaard into the yellow jersey on Stage 11.

Giro d'Italia

Giro d'Italia 2024: Stage routes and start times, TV and live stream schedule

7 hours ago

'Bang! Not what we want' - Ewan down after bale crash, as Roglic caught up in trouble

And that will likely be his legacy to the 2022 edition as he eyes a recovery before the Vuelta a Espana, which begins on August 19.

On his departure, Roglic said: "To allow my injuries to heal properly, we have decided that I won't start today [Stage 15].

"I’m proud of my contribution to the current standings and I trust that the team will realise our yellow and green [jersey] ambitions.

• 'He might even attack me on the rest day!' - Vingegaard primed for Pogacar assault
• 'Clamped on his wheel' - Vingegaard praised for going toe-to-toe with Pogacar

"Thanks to everybody for your great support.”

Roglic will vacate 21st position in the overall standings, at 33m39 down on race leader Vingegaard.

Two other riders - Magnus Cort (EF Education–EasyPost) and Simon Clarke (Israel-Premier Tech) - will also take no further part in the race, with their respective teams confirming they have both tested positive for Covid-19.

Cort will however depart the race with fond memories .

- - -

Stream the Tour de France live and on-demand on discovery+. You can also watch all the action live on eurosport.co.uk.

Giro d'Italia

'All I'm thinking about now is the Giro' - Thomas focused on first Grand Tour of the season

16/04/2024 at 07:39

Cycling

Zeeman to step down as Team Visma Lease-a-Bike sporting director

03/04/2024 at 16:43

Itzulia Basque Country

Roglic 'disappears' as he takes wrong turn on time trial – still wins easily!

00:00:52

|

01/04/2024 at 16:19