Netcompany INEOS suffer another setback before Tour de France: 'Difficult decision, but health comes first'

Kévin Vauquelin of Netcompany INEOS has been forced to withdraw from the French championship on Sunday after contracting both a virus and a bacterial infection that spread among riders during and after the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. This follows teammate Oscar Onley's earlier withdrawal from that same race after dislocating his shoulder, representing a second significant setback for the team ahead of the 2026 Tour de France. Vauquelin, who joined Netcompany INEOS this winter from Arkéa, had shown strong form this season with results including fourth at Paris-Nice and fifth at the Tour of the Algarve.