Hard blow for the climber.
For his first participation in the Tour de France, and as the mountain stages arrive, the Dijonnais Geoffrey Bouchard will have to forfeit.
Indeed, the AG2R Citroën rider tested positive for Covid-19 and will not start the eighth stage between Dole and Lausanne this Saturday.
In a press release, his formation, the AG2R Citroën team, confirmed the positive test of his French rider: “Suffering during the seventh stage, Geoffrey Bouchard underwent an antigenic test on his return to the hotel which was proved positive.
He was immediately isolated from the rest of the group.”
Best climber of the Giro 2021, the rider had also won his first victory in the Tour des Alpes this year.
"It was my first Tour de France and it's sad to end it like this"
When he took the start of the seventh stage, Geoffrey Bouchard explained that he was not in his best shape.
“During the stage, I didn't feel well.
It's a big disappointment because I was entering my favorite terrain, the mountains.
It was my first Tour de France and it's sad to end it like this.
I wish my teammates a lot of success and I send them all my strength for the rest of the Tour de France”, explained the cyclist, visibly disappointed.
The Frenchman is the first withdrawal from the Grande Boucle due to Covid-19 and the fifth abandonment in all.
They are now 171 still in the race.