Canada's Hugo Ure tested positive for the virus once after the Tour de Pollogne, but after two subsequent PCR and antigen tests came back negative, he was diagnosed COVID-19 free and selected for the Astana team for the upcoming Tour de France.

This is a relief for the 29-year-old, who was forced to miss Il Lombardia and make a major change to his race schedule, which initially targeted Tirreno-Adriatico and the Giro d'Italia. So far, he is the only Canadian selected for the Tour de France.

"It's a really important race for me and the team. Miguel Angel Lopez can make the podium in a Grand Tour. I'm climbing better now and if I get the chance I'll try to get into the breakaway. Of course, I'm going to follow the team's instructions, do my best for them and try to please them."

After passing two COVID-19 PCR tests before the Tour de Pollogne race, Fouret learned that the test he took three days before Il Lombardia had tested positive. As a result, everything came to an abrupt halt.

"I don't know what happened there. But before I tested positive I was going to Lombardia and I was following the UCI protocol. Three days before Lombardia, I tested positive. Since then I had to isolate myself and my teammates, who were with me in Poland, had to be tested to show that it was safe to race. [Everyone on the team tested negative for PCR. That was good news for us; we waited six days, and then we went to the same lab and did the PCR test and it was negative. From there we started doing more tests. On Friday we did another PCR test, which was also negative."

The UCI confirmed to Cycling News on Monday that by the time the Tour de France begins, two weeks will have passed since his positive test, and that his pre-race testing this week will "reassure everyone."

Houle said that while he could not say that the positive was a false result, the two PCR tests were negative, and a serological test for antibodies to the virus was performed. That test was also negative.

The UCI protocol recommends that athletes who test positive undergo further testing to rule out damage to the myocardium, as even mild COVID-19 infection can affect the heart.

Houle said he underwent a stress test, an EKG, and a VO2max test, all of which were normal. 'I also had a heart scan, which was also fine. We did everything we could," he added.

"At the end of the day, I'm perfectly healthy, and the fact that I tested positive doesn't affect me in any way. I don't know if it was a false positive or a lab issue, but I followed the procedure and did everything I could to race.

He said he was shocked that he tested positive, but he had no symptoms and no fever. He said, "When you test positive, you have to stop everything and change your plans. I had to stop training because I wouldn't be able to race for at least two weeks. So I decided to rest completely for four days with the team doctor. Then I was home trainer for two days.

"When the negative results came in, I was allowed to go back out on the road and continue training. I don't think it affected me that much. I was able to rest a little bit. I think it was the right choice."

"I think it was the right choice.

Testing for COVID-19 continued during the Tour de France, and Houle's case highlighted the possibility of a false positive.

"With a positive test, we know what the result will be. We just hope the results are negative. In the case of the Tour de France, you make a lot of sacrifices, you train hard, you go into the race, you train hard, you train hard, you train hard."

"But in the end, inspections are a thing and we have to do them; the UCI did their job. Every country recommends inspections. We have to respect that and maintain protocols."

The Tour de France operates under the policy that if two riders from a team test positive for the virus, that team is asked to withdraw from the race. This is a serious concern, especially in light of the false positives in recent weeks from Omer Goldstein (Israel Startup Nation), Sylvain Dirier (AG2R La Mondiale), and U23 women's cyclo-cross world champion Inge van der Heyden.

"Certainly, the results of the study are not in the public domain.

"Sure, there may have been people who tested positive without symptoms. I may have been an exception, or a mistake may have been made somewhere.

"I think there is a small chance of a false test; it is said that 30% of PCR tests can go wrong with either a false negative or a false positive. But I think the key is for all of us to be really careful and go through all the procedures and hope that everything works out. There is not much else we can do. I don't want to stress about this. I am healthy and ready to race. From now on I hope that the PCR negativity will return."