A total of 46 members of Spain’s civil guard have tested positive for COVID-19 after working on traffic control at the Vuelta a Espana cycling race, a source confirmed on Tuesday.

The rescheduled race, which concluded on Sunday in Madrid, took place under strict conditions to prevent riders and spectators from infections and its safety measures were praised by competitors.

The civil guard source said the officers, who had mild symptoms or none at all, were isolating in their residences.

But union Jucil criticised the organisation after 150 officers were allowed to travel across the country back to their homes before learning the results of the test, and called on the interior ministry to ensure the protocol was enforced.

The Vuelta, the final grand tour of the year, was shortened from its usual 21 stages to 18 and its start date switched from August due to the pandemic disrupting the cycling calendar.

The route, which was set to pass through the Netherlands and France, also had to be changed. Slovenian rider Primoz Roglic won the race for a second year in row.

A total of 46 members of Spain’s civil guard have tested positive for COVID-19 after working on traffic control at the Vuelta a Espana cycling race, a source confirmed on Tuesday.

A total of 46 members of Spain’s civil guard have tested positive for COVID-19 after working on traffic control at the Vuelta a Espana cycling race, a source confirmed on Tuesday. The rescheduled race, which concluded on Sunday in Madrid, took place under strict conditions to prevent riders and spectators from infections and its safety measures were praised by competitors. The civil guard source said the officers, who had mild symptoms or none at all, were isolating in their residences. But union Jucil criticised the organisation after 150 officers were allowed to travel across the country back to their homes before learning the results of the test, and called on the interior ministry to ensure the protocol was enforced. The Vuelta, the final grand tour of the year, was shortened from its usual 21 stages to 18 and its start date switched from August due to the pandemic disrupting the cycling calendar. The route, which was set to pass through the Netherlands and France, also had to be changed. Slovenian rider Primoz Roglic won the race for a second year in row.

Vuelta a Espana: Traffic officers hit by COVID-19 outbreak

Defending champion Egan Bernal has withdrawn from the Tour de France ahead of stage 17, his Ineos Grenadiers team said on Wednesday.

Bernal, whose hopes of winning the race fell away when he cracked in Sunday’s 15th stage, was dropped from the main bunch in the ascent to Saint-Nizier, suffering from back pains in Tuesday’s 16th stage won by Lennard Kaemna. [nL8N2GC5AJ]

Bernal had said that compensating for his back led to some discomfort in his knee.

"This is obviously not how I wanted my Tour de France to end, but I agree that it is the right decision for me in the circumstances," Bernal said in a statement.

“I have the greatest respect for this race and I am already looking forward to coming back in the years ahead.”

The 23-year-old will focus on his recovery from the Tour, and reset his goals for the rest of the season, his team said.

They did not specify the reason for his withdrawl.

“We’ve taken this decision with Egan’s best interests at heart,” Ineos team principal Dave Brailsford said.

“Egan is a true champion who loves to race, but he is also a young rider, with many Tours ahead of him and at this point, on balance, we feel it is wiser for him to stop racing.”

The Colombian had pulled out of the Criterium du Dauphine with back pains last month.

Last year, Bernal became the youngest rider to win the Tour de France in 110 years.

Defending champion Egan Bernal has withdrawn from the Tour de France ahead of stage 17, his Ineos Grenadiers team said on Wednesday. Bernal, whose hopes of winning the race fell away when he cracked in Sunday’s 15th stage, was dropped from the main bunch in the ascent to Saint-Nizier, suffering from back pains in Tuesday’s 16th stage won by Lennard Kaemna.

Defending champion Egan Bernal has withdrawn from the Tour de France ahead of stage 17, his Ineos Grenadiers team said on Wednesday. Bernal, whose hopes of winning the race fell away when he cracked in Sunday’s 15th stage, was dropped from the main bunch in the ascent to Saint-Nizier, suffering from back pains in Tuesday’s 16th stage won by Lennard Kaemna. [nL8N2GC5AJ] Bernal had said that compensating for his back led to some discomfort in his knee. "This is obviously not how I wanted my Tour de France to end, but I agree that it is the right decision for me in the circumstances," Bernal said in a statement. “I have the greatest respect for this race and I am already looking forward to coming back in the years ahead.” The 23-year-old will focus on his recovery from the Tour, and reset his goals for the rest of the season, his team said. They did not specify the reason for his withdrawl. “We’ve taken this decision with Egan’s best interests at heart,” Ineos team principal Dave Brailsford said. “Egan is a true champion who loves to race, but he is also a young rider, with many Tours ahead of him and at this point, on balance, we feel it is wiser for him to stop racing.” The Colombian had pulled out of the Criterium du Dauphine with back pains last month. Last year, Bernal became the youngest rider to win the Tour de France in 110 years.

Bernal withdraws from Tour de France ahead of stage 17

Four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome will not get the chance to end his spell with Team Ineos Grenadier with a tilt at a fifth crown after being omitted from the team for this year's race.

The 35-year-old Kenyan-born British rider "needs more time" according to team principal Dave Brailsford and will instead aim for the Vuelta d'Espana.

Froome has been trying to get back to peak condition after he was involved in a high-speed crash at last year's Criterium du Dauphine which came close to ending his career.

Brailsford has also left out 2018 champion Geraint Thomas who will target the Giro d'Italia, leaving defending champion Egan Bernal as the team leader.

Four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome will not get the chance to end his spell with Team Ineos Grenadier with a tilt at a fifth crown after being omitted from the team for this year's race.

Four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome will not get the chance to end his spell with Team Ineos Grenadier with a tilt at a fifth crown after being omitted from the team for this year's race. The 35-year-old Kenyan-born British rider "needs more time" according to team principal Dave Brailsford and will instead aim for the Vuelta d'Espana. Froome has been trying to get back to peak condition after he was involved in a high-speed crash at last year's Criterium du Dauphine which came close to ending his career. Brailsford has also left out 2018 champion Geraint Thomas who will target the Giro d'Italia, leaving defending champion Egan Bernal as the team leader.

Ex-champions Froome, Thomas left out of Ineos Tour de France team

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Vuelta a Espana: Traffic officers hit by COVID-19 outbreak

Bernal withdraws from Tour de France ahead of stage 17

Ex-champions Froome, Thomas left out of Ineos Tour de France team