As the Tour de France headed high into the Alps, injuries, fatigue, and COVID-19 prevented three riders from lining up at Aligier, the start of stage 9.

A total of 165 riders left the Swiss town for the first Alpine finish in Chatel, but three failed to make the start line. Eleven riders have left the race so far, and many more could suffer illness or injury before the Tour arrives in Paris on July 24.

Caspar Asgreen (Quick Step-Alphavinyl), Ruben Guerreiro (EF Education-Easy Post), and Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) before the rollout in Aigle and the Tour de France's second day of rest in Morzine. They returned home before the Tour de France rolled out in Aigle and before the second day of rest in Morzine.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) announced that Martin would not start due to the application of the Covid-19 health protocol.

He tested positive on Sunday morning, but probably wanted to continue according to the new protocol. However, the final decision will be made collectively by the team doctor, the doctor in charge of Covid-19 at the competition, and the UCI medical director, based on clinical factors.

The French rider finished 14th overall, his eighth consecutive Grand Tour victory, marking the first time Martin has abandoned a stage race since turning pro in Wanty in 2016.

Cofidis announced that all other riders and staff were negative.

In accordance with the UCI COVID-19 protocol, all riders, team staff and key race staff will undergo antigen testing on Monday's rest day in Morzine.

Guerreiro also did not start stage 9, leaving the US team with seven riders.

Initial reports indicated that he too was infected with COVID-19, but Guerreiro soon clarified that it was due to a "non-COVID-related illness."

The Portuguese rider was rooming with Nielson Powles at the Tour de France. He had a major crash in Denmark, but seemed to have recovered before falling ill.

Quick-Step Alfa Vinyl announced Asgreen's absence, stating: "After his injury in the Tour de Suisse, his left knee was recovering, but as his recovery has not gone as expected, it was decided by the team medical staff not to put the second half of the season at risk. It was decided that Asgreen would not compete."

The Belgian team lost Tim Declercq before the start of the season due to a number of COVID-19s. He was replaced by French national champion Florian Senechal, but with the loss of Asgreen, Quick Step Alpha Vinyl was reduced to seven riders.

After numerous cases of COVID-19 among riders and in the race bubble, the UCI called on all riders to respect the COVID-19 protocol. 27]

"The UCI and its partners urge all riders participating in road races on the UCI international calendar to respect the health and safety of all, and remind them that the rules introduced over the past two years continue to apply"

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"These include the mandatory wearing of masks, maintaining adequate physical distance, and frequent hand sanitizing.