AG2R La Mondiale's Sylvain Dillier will miss Strade Bianche after testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) prior to the race.

He was named by the French team for the first WorldTour of the modified season, but is not on the final start list announced by the race organizers.

The French team confirmed to Cycling News that Dillier tested positive and will undergo quarantine.

Dillier posted a photo of himself on the plane on Instagram, asking: "Is this the new way to travel?" I have to get used to it first!" However, AG2R La Mondiale told Cycling News that he did not join his teammates in Tuscany.

L'Equipe reported that his teammates were negative. They are expected to start Strade Bianche as scheduled.

According to the Swiss newspaper Blick, Dillier condemned the UCI COVID-19 protocol, which is designed to protect the health of athletes and ensure that the race goes ahead. Under this protocol, athletes must undergo two COVID-19 tests before a race, with the last test taking place within 72 hours of the start.

"The whole medical system is a big joke. In my opinion, we are on the verge of locking up healthy people," Dillier told the Swiss newspaper Blick (opens in new tab). 'It's not right.'

"I am really disappointed. I'm the healthiest person in the world."

"I'm not the healthiest person in the world.

"I have had several tests in the last few days, all negative. All of my blood tests and all of my numbers were good."

The 29-year-old Swiss rider, who finished second behind Peter Sagan in the 2018 Paris-Roubaix, was considered an outsider in Strade Bianche after finishing 14th last year. It is currently unclear when he will be able to return to racing, and if he tests negative for the COVID-19 virus, he will have to undergo a medical checkup.

Dillier's case is the third time a rider has tested positive or had close contact with a COVID-19 infected person before a race. Israel Startup Nation and UAE Team Emirates pulled riders from the Vuelta a Burgos due to the risk of COVID-19 infection.