Star Metro - Pogacar lieutenant given Covid dispensation at Tour de France

Majka was said to have a low viral load, meaning he is not considered an infection risk, as was the case with Bob Jungels of AG2R, who tested positive in Copenhagen but went on to win stage nine.

Pogacar's UAE support is nevertheless weakened by the loss of Bennett after Vegard Stake Laengen pulled out on Saturday. The overall leader has only five teammates left with 12 stages remaining.

Majka was given dispensation just before the start of the race by the International Cycling Union.

Bennett was not.

"George displayed some symptoms on Monday night and tested positive," team doctor Adriano Rotunno said.

Rotunno revealed last Saturday the extreme measures the team have gone to in order to avoid infection.

"All the riders have their own room, when normally they would share. They also all have their own masseur," he said.

Just ahead of the Tour, Matteo Trentin, a key member of Pogacar's team, also pulled out of the race with Covid.

Pogacar leads the race by 39sec from Jonas Vingegaard with Ineos rider Geraint Thomas third, 1min 17sec behind, ahead of the big Alpine battles.

Bennett is the fifth rider to pull out due to Covid. Australian rider Luke Durbridge of the Bike Exchange who also withdrew on Tuesday.

French riders Geoffrey Bouchard and Guillaume Martin were also been forced out of the race by the virus.

Half a dozen riders had to be replaced before the start of the Tour after testing positive for Covid.

There have also been casualties among backroom staff with Quick-Step on their third sporting director since the race began in Copenhagen on July 1.

L.Pelletier--SMC