BikeExchange-Jayco withdrew from the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana ahead of Friday's third stage after two team members tested positive for COVID-19.

The team reported that the two test results came out Thursday evening as part of the testing protocol that is conducted daily at the race. All athletes and staff left the race, and the team reported that medical staff was working to isolate the team members.

Movistar also announced that two riders, Juli Holman and Einel Rubio, have returned home due to positive tests.

"As a precautionary measure, and in accordance with strict team policy, we have already had to withdraw one rider due to injury and have decided to withdraw from the event, giving priority to the health of the riders, staff, and all those involved in the race. The race organization was immediately informed of the situation," BikeExchange-Jayco said in a press release. [Team BikeExchange-Jayco's medical team is currently working to safely move the riders and staff to an isolation area as needed to continue further testing.

Chris Juul-Jensen will not race in Thursday's second stage, while the remaining members of the team-Lucas Hamilton, Dion Smith, Tsgab Gourmay, Damian Howson, and Kayden Groves-will ride from Alicante to a summit finish at Antenas del Maigmo They will not be at the start of stage 3.

Team manager Brent Copeland thanked the race organization for their understanding and support.

"The safety of all our riders, staff, and everyone involved in the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana is of paramount importance and we believe the only right decision to take in these circumstances is to withdraw from the race.

." I would like to thank the race organization for their understanding and support." "We will continue to carry out our team policy to ensure the safest possible outcome."

Movistar also announced on Thursday that two riders, Inel Rubio and Juli Holman, tested positive for COVID-19 after the first stage and were sent home. However, the rest of the teams tested negative and are continuing the race.

Regulations determining whether a team stays in the race or not during a pandemic vary, and the first protocol for 2020 was decided by the race organizers and the UCI, which stated that a team with two members (staff or riders) testing positive within one week must withdraw It was stated that the team must withdraw.

Then it was changed to two riders detected within one week, and the protocol was changed again this year, with different rules applying to Grand Tour and other events.

Each team has its own bylaws on whether or not to retire, but in a rather vaguely worded paragraph, the organizers seem to have the final say on what happens.

The UCI rules on COVID-19 positivity state in the French version:

"In all races except the Grand Tour, if COVID-19 is confirmed, the physician responsible for COVID-19 in the race will provide all relevant information to the race race organizers.

"The race organiser will speak to the UCI Medical Director, riders and team representatives before decisions are taken. These decisions do not concern the quarantined population and the COVID doctors and national health authorities take full responsibility.

This is the first time that a positive test for COVID-19 has forced an athlete or team to withdraw from a race during the 2022 season, but the virus and Omicron variants had already affected the pre-season camp. Jumbo Visma was forced to end his race in January due to a positive test in his team, while Miguel Angel Lopez and Peter Sagan were suspended for the month of January due to close calls and positive tests.