Tour de France stars Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish being tested for the Coronavirus after two Italian riders confirmed positive

Tour de France winner Chris Froome and fellow cycling star Mark Cavendish are being tested for the coronavirus after two Italian riders on the UAE Tour were confirmed to have COVID-19.

Organisers said “two Italian participants” had tested positive and that the race was being scrapped because safety was “top of all priorities”, all the riders were all getting tested.

All riders and staff have been confined to their rooms at the Crowne Royal Plaza hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Froome tweeted: “It’s a shame that the #UAETour has been cancelled but public health must come first.”

“We are all awaiting testing and will remain at the hotel until further notice. I hope those affected make a speedy recovery and there aren’t any further cases #coronavirus.”