Two riders tested positive for COVID-19 in tests conducted on the eve of the third and final rest day of the Tour de France in Carcassonne.

The UCI did not identify the riders in question in a statement Monday morning, but noted that both were outside the top 20 overall; both riders are asymptomatic and a final decision on their continued participation in the Tour will be made Tuesday morning before stage 16 to Foix.

"All tests were negative except for two riders who required supplemental biological testing. These two athletes are not in the top 20 overall in this competition.

"These athletes are completely asymptomatic, but safety measures (isolation of the two athletes) are in place to protect other participants.

." A final decision on their participation in the remaining events will be made by tomorrow morning by a council system by the parties involved (Covid-19 event doctors, team doctors, and UCI medical director)."

Prior to this year's Tour, the COVID-19 rules were changed so that riders who test positive for coronavirus are no longer automatically withdrawn from the race. Bob Jungels (AG2R Citroën), despite testing positive the week before the Grande Pearl, was allowed to race after doctors determined that he was no longer infectious.

Rafal Mayka (UAE Team Emirates) tested positive at the start of the second week of the Tour, but was allowed to continue the race after Tadej Pogacar's main climbing domestique was deemed to have a low viral load.

The 152 remaining riders in the Tour peloton were tested for COVID-19 immediately after the finish of the stage to Carcassonne on Sunday. On Sunday morning, Magnus Kort (EF Education First - Easy Post) and Simon Clark (Israel Premier Tech) became the latest riders to abandon the Tour after testing positive for COVID-19.

Guillaume Martin (Cofidis), Warren Barguil (Arkea Samsic), and Pogacar teammates George Bennett and Vegard Stake Rengen are among the riders who have abstained from the Tour due to COVID-19.

The entire Tour peloton tested negative for COVID-19 in a rapid test conducted before the second rest day.