Bakelants' season over after he contracts COVID-19

Jan Bakelants (Circus-Wanty) racing in Fleche Wallonne
Jan Bakelants (Circus-Wanty) racing in La Fleche Wallonne (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

Jan Bakelants is out for the remainder of the season after contracting COVID-19 on Friday, according to his Circus-Wanty Gobert team.

The Belgian tested negative for the coronavirus that has caused a global pandemic that has killed over a million people on Tuesday before racing Brabantse Pijl. He was symptom-free until Friday when he began experiencing "mild symptoms" after training alone, and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19.

Cyclingnews is the world's leader in English-language coverage of professional cycling. Started in 1995 by University of Newcastle professor Bill Mitchell, the site was one of the first to provide breaking news and results over the internet in English. The site was purchased by Knapp Communications in 1999, and owner Gerard Knapp built it into the definitive voice of pro cycling. Since then, major publishing house Future PLC has owned the site and expanded it to include top features, news, results, photos and tech reporting. The site continues to be the most comprehensive and authoritative English voice in professional cycling.