Virus overshadows events at Giro

JHONATAN Narvaez soloed to victory on stage 12 of the Giro d’Italia – but concerns over the security of the race’s coronavirus bubble overshadowed the day.

Narvaez capitalised on a cruellytimed mechanical problem for Bahrain-McLaren’s Mark Padun to deliver a third stage victory for the Ineos Grenadiers, and the biggest win of the 23-year-old Ecuadorian’s career to date.

The 204km stage that started and finished in Cesenatico was designed as a celebration of Marco Pantani, but cold and damp weather around Il Pirata’s old home town did little to raise the spirits after riders spoke out in the morning. Two days after the Mitchelton-Scott and Jumbo-Visma teams withdrew from the race due to positive tests for coronavirus, further concerns led LottoSoudal’s Thomas De Gendt to tell Belgian broadcaster Sporza before the start of the stage that he was unsure if the race should go ahead

“I don’t feel like riding,” the 33-year-old said. “The situation is headed in the wrong direction and it seems the organisers are hiding things. The riders are discussing whether we should start the stage.”

Reports said 17 police officers on the race had tested positive.

Seven-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi has tested positive for coronavirus and will miss the upcoming Aragon Grand Prix.

The Italian, 41, revealed he is also expected to be sidelined for next weekend’s Teruel Grand Prix at the same venue.

Rossi becomes the first MotoGP rider to contract the illness.

He tweeted: “Unfortunately this morning I woke up and I was not feeling good. My bones were sore and I had a slight fever, so I called the doctor who tested me twice.

“I will now follow the medical advice and I just hope I will be feeling well soon.”