Prodigy time loss explained: UAE Team Emirates has new Covid patient at Vuelta after Almeida

Isaac del Toro said to be riding in Vuelta a España with coronavirus infection among team EspenThe 20-year-old Mexican is making his first appearance on a major tour, but after a promising start the rankings dropped on day nine. Now it’s clear why…

Del Toro was on course for a top 10 finish in the first week, but over the weekend things went downhill for the UAE Team Emirates miracle. On Saturday he limited the damage, but on Sunday Del Toro ended up on the bus, more than 35 minutes behind the winner. In one fell swoop he dropped to 39th in the world rankings, on a day when Adam Yates did something to the world rankings by winning a stage.

So the cards are shuffled every day in the UAE team. Joao Almeida looked the best man in the first week, especially after Yates lost minutes due to an accident. But Almeida did not leave on the ninth day due to his corona infection, which is widespread in the team. However, Yates is ranked seventh in the rankings, and Pavel Sivakov is also still in good shape in eleventh.

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Coronavirus infection hinders Isaac del Toro’s major breakthrough

Del Toro showed improvement after the first rest day, finishing the race in the favourites. However, it usually takes some time before he is completely back to normal. It is worth noting that his Covid complaints are mild and that is why he can continue. Del Toro is expected to have a great future with his team, after his final victory in the Tour de l’Avenir last year, and this season he also took third place in the Tour Down Under, fourth place in Tirreno and a final victory in the Tour Down Under. Burgos. It is no coincidence that he has a contract with Tadej Pogacar’s team until the end of 2029.

However, the team is struggling with the coronavirus. In the Tour de France, it was Juan Ayuso who withdrew, and Yates and Tim Wellens were also ill. Pogacar had been infected before the Tour and was therefore immune. The big question is whether more riders in the UAE will test positive for the coronavirus, a virus that will continue to spread in 2024. Laurens De Plus resigned on stage 10 after testing positive.