The team was forced to change its Giro lineup as a precautionary measure after Kazakhstani riders Yury Natalov and Vadim Plonsky tested positive for COVID-19 coronavirus after coming into contact with teammates last weekend. And on Saturday, Miguel Angel Lopez, who was a late recruit as the most deluxe gregario, crashed into a barrier and was eliminated from the Giro after appearing to hit a bump in the road surface during the opening time trial in Palermo.
On Sunday, Astana was forced back again on an anonymous section of Strada Statale 115 near Sciacca. The race was over before it began.
"I am sorry and sad beyond words," said Vlasov in a statement released by the team after the stage. It was an honor for me to be Jacob's (Fuglsang) helper in my first participation."
Vlasov, who won the under-23 Giro two years ago, is in his first season at the World Tour level and has shown his potential many times throughout the year, starting with an unassuming stage win at the Tour de la Provence, La Ciotat in February.
An extended break due to the coronavirus pandemic did little to derail the youngster, who finished third at the Route d'Occitanie in France in August and won Mont Ventoux. In Italy, he teamed up with Fuglsang to win at Il Lombardia and then at the Giro delle Miglia.
Despite his lack of pedigree in the three-week race, Vlasov's amazing run of form had many looking at him as a dark horse for the Giro podium. Like Evgeni Berzin, who is also from Vyborg, he could win the overall title. ...... His abstention removed that fascinating subplot from the Giro d'Italia, which is still only in its opening stages.
"That's the way it is. I've had a stomach bug since last night, unfortunately it didn't get better and I couldn't run for a while. I feel bad for Jacob and sorry that I can't help the team any more."
Fuglsang, on the other hand, has lost Lopez and Vlasov, his strongest fortresses, day after day, and will continue to ride the Giro with just five teammates. In Saturday's opening time trial, he lost 1:47 to Filippo Ganna on the downhill to Palermo and 1:23 to overall contender Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers).
"Sadly, we lost Alexandre today. It's a shame that we lost him after Lopez, but there's nothing we can do about it," Fuglsang said. Fuglsang finished safely near the front of the peloton on the uphill finish of Agrigento, finishing the stage in 12th place behind Thomas.
On Monday, Fuglsang hopes to begin his ascent of the GC with the first summit finish on Mount Etna.
"Today was my first road stage and as always I was nervous and fast at the end. Manuele [Boaro] did a great job and kept a high pace and held his position. Tomorrow will be a tough battle to the volcano with the first mountain finish," Fuglsang added.
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