Trek Segafredo announced Thursday that it has removed Giulio Ciccone from its Tirreno Adriatico roster for the September 7 start after he tested positive for COVID-19 in a swab test conducted on August 31.

The team confirmed that all teammates who came in contact with Ciccone during a recent training camp tested negative for the virus.

"Trek Segafredo has confirmed that Giulio Ciccone tested positive for COVID-19. This test was performed on August 31 in accordance with UCI regulations prior to his participation in the Tirreno-Adriatico." The Italian stage race was an important objective for Ciccone in his preparation for the Giro d'Italia."

Ciccone teamed up with overall contender Vincenzo Nibali, as well as Julien Bernard, Gianluca Brambilla, Caen de Corto, Antonio Nibali, and Pieter Weening for the September 7-14 He was scheduled to compete in the Tirreno Adriatico, using the event as preparation for the Giro d'Italia, which would be held October 3-15.

Ciccone last competed in the Italian National Championships on August 23, finishing 26th.

The team confirmed that this was the last contact between Ciccone and his teammates, but that all players and staff followed a strict no-social protocol during the camp, and that routine testing showed that COVID-19 was negative.

"Ciccone's last contact with his Trek Segafredo teammates was on the evening of the 23rd at the team camp dinner, at which time, in accordance with team policy, social distance was maintained," Trek Segafredo stated.

"Like all members of the team camp, and in accordance with team policy, Ciccone slept in a single room. As part of the team's internal COVID-19 protocol, upon arrival at camp, all players and staff present were swabbed. All tests, including Ciccone's, were negative.

Despite the negative tests, the team conferred with the medical staff and allowed Ciccone to return home after he complained of symptoms of fatigue; in accordance with the UCI COVID-19 protocol, Ciccone was examined a second time on August 31 prior to his participation in the Tirreno Adriatico. The results of this test were positive for COVID-19.

"Due to Ciccone's symptoms of fatigue, the medical staff decided to send him back home to continue his individual training, despite the negative COVID-19 test," Trek Segafredo announced.

"On August 31, prior to his participation in Tirreno-Adriatico, Ciccone tested positive for COVID-19 in accordance with UCI regulations. As a precautionary measure, on the same day (August 31), all riders and staff from the training camp in which Ciccone had previously participated were also tested, with all results negative."

Trek Segafredo confirmed that a second COVID-19 test will be performed on team members on September 3 and that the team will provide maximum support while awaiting Ciccone's full recovery.