Published August 23, 2020 12:17AM
Team INEOS withdrew its riders from the Italian National Championship today as a precautionary measure in line with COVID protocols after its rider Leonardo Basso returned a positive test on Saturday. The team says that the 26 year old Italian has been and remains asymptomatic.
In press release Team INEOS said that apart from a visit for treatment on his knee at his local medical centre eight days ago, Leonardo has been at home in Asolo with his girlfriend and training alone throughout the past 10 days.
His last COVID test was carried out on Tuesday and the result has been negative. He has remained at home and did not join the team at their hotel in recent days, however he carried out the time trial recon with Filippo Ganna on Friday and went on a training ride with him, Salvatore Puccio and Gianni Moscon this morning. Ganna subsequently won the Italian time trial title on Friday afternoon following the morning recon with Basso.
They, along with Puccio, the team was set to support Moscon in Sunday’s Italian National Championship road race but will now have to self isolate for 14 days and will not be able to race. None were set to ride on INEOS’ Tour de France team.
Four INEOS staff members will also self isolate as they are considered secondary contacts. Although they have been in contact with the riders wearing masks, observing social distancing and other protocols, INEOS has taken these precautions.