Michael Matthews had two negative test results after testing positive for COVID-19 on the first rest day of the Giro d'Italia.

Matthews did not start Tuesday's 10th stage after Team Sunweb announced that he was one of eight riders from five teams who tested positive for coronavirus on the rest day.

A Team Sunweb spokesman confirmed to Cycling News on Friday morning that the Australian's PCR test on Monday's rest day was positive, but two subsequent tests were negative.

Matthews underwent a rapid retest in Italy on Tuesday morning, which was negative. A PCR test on Wednesday was also negative.

The 30-year-old Matthews was asymptomatic and in good health when he returned to his home in Monaco after the Giro.

A spokesman for Sunweb said the two negative results did not prove that Matthews' rest day test at the Giro was a false positive.

"This is good news because Michael is feeling well and has no symptoms yet. The first PCR test remains a reliable snapshot of the moment. The two subsequent negative tests do not prove that Monday's test was a false positive," the spokesman said.

"We need to continue to test constantly, in the same disciplined manner as the teams in the Giro."

The Sunweb teams competing in the Giro are undergoing additional COVID-19 inspections this week in addition to those conducted by race organizer RCS Sport, the spokesman said.

"RCS has gone the extra mile and added additional testing for all teams. On top of that, our teams have been undergoing additional PCR testing on our athletes and staff over the past week to monitor the bubble condition more closely for the sake of the competition, cycling, and our fellow teams, as well as the health of our athletes and staff."

Since the race resumed in August, Sunweb has followed a strict protocol, dividing athletes and team staff into distinct bubbles based on their race program.

Despite requests from at least one rival team to cancel the Giro at the end of the second week due to the positive tests recorded so far, the team supported the continuation of the Giro on Friday.

"These rigorous procedures are in place to ensure health and at the same time to allow professional cycling to take place in the difficult times of COVID-19," a spokesman said. 25]

"This is in the interest of all stakeholders and fans of professional cycling. interests and to show that procycling can still exist in this COVID-19 era."

"The purpose of the COVID-19 is to allow procycling to be a part of this COVID-19 era," the spokesperson said.

Matthews was one of two riders, along with Steven Kruijswijk (Yumbo Visma), who tested positive for coronavirus on the rest day, four staff members of Mitchelton Scott, one each of AG2R-La Mondiale and Ineos Grenadier He was also on the staff of.

Mitchelton Scott and Jumbo Visma sent Simon Yates home after he tested positive at the end of stage 7.

Matthews also gave a personal update, revealing that his season was over after leaving the Giro d'Italia; he will move to Mitchelton Scott for 2021.