Yves Lampert proudly showed off the race leader's yellow jersey on stage 2 of the Tour de France, but admitted to being concerned about the growing number of COVID-19 infections within the Quick-Step Alphavinir team.

Tim Declercq tested positive upon arrival in Denmark on Tuesday and was immediately sent home and replaced by French national champion Florian Senechal.

Late Friday night, Quick Step Alphavinir revealed that its chief directeur sportif, Tom Steels, had tested positive. Three other staff members also tested positive, and two more were unable to travel to Denmark because they tested positive.

In other words, Quick Step Alphavinil had seven positives in six days, five of whom tested positive at the Tour de France Grande Pearl in Denmark.

Lampert wore an FFP2 mask and spoke to the media before the start of the second stage.

"I have never had COVID-19 in the last two and a half years, but to have it a few days later is a real shame," Lampert said.

"At the start of the Tour, I wasn't so afraid yesterday. At the finish a lot of people congratulated me and I hugged a lot of people. Then just two hours later, some of the team were COVID-19 positive. When that happens, you start thinking, you start worrying, and you start thinking that maybe you can catch up."

While Lampert was overjoyed to win the Copenhagen time trial and take the first yellow jersey, Steele's positive test dampened the celebratory mood and made everyone at Quick-Step Alphavinil more cautious.

"Tom is my coach and the guy who was behind the team car in the time trial on Friday. It's a shame we couldn't celebrate with him last night," Lampaert explained.

"We had a video call when he was going home, but that wasn't much fun. [Wearing the yellow jersey and helping Fabio Jacobsen in the sprint is special. But it's kind of annoying to have to pay attention to things that you didn't have to before COVID-19. Now I have to wear a weak mask, put gel on my hands, and be careful. I hope that's enough to protect me."