Mathieu van der Poel will miss Opening Weekend because of illness, his team have announced.
The Dutch superstar had been set to race Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne this weekend, but he has come down with flu and high fever.
Van der Poel was favourite for the Belgian one-day races, after a phenomenal cyclocross season that saw him retain his world champion’s jersey.
His Alpecin-Fenix team announced on Twitter: "Mathieu van der Poel will not be at the start of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad this weekend. Van der Poel has the flu and because of high fever starting Wednesday night, he won't be able to race."
The bookies had Van der Poel down as 2/1 favourite for Omloop on Saturday (February 29), after he made is road racing return at the Volta ao Algarve last week.
Van der Poel, 25, dominated the cyclocross season, winning 24 out of the 25 races he entered.
After taking a two-week break, Van der Poel then started his road season in Portugal where he was working in a support role for Sacha Modolo.
His best result was 33rd on the second stage on the way to the summit of Alto de Fóia.
The Alpecin-Fenix team will now be made up of Petr Vakoč, Otto Vergaerde, Dries De Bondt, Floris Detier, Kristian Sbaragli, and Scott Thwaites.
Van der Poel's next race is scheduled to be Strade-Bianche and Milan San-Remo.
>>> Annemiek van Vleuten: ‘I don’t feel more pressure in the rainbow jersey, just more motivated’
He is also expected to race the Volta a Catalunya, then Dwars door Vlaanderen, the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Brabatnse Pijl, Amstel Gold and Flèche Wallone.
This summer he will be stepping away from the road bike however, as he is targeting the Olympic gold medal in the mountain bike event in Tokyo, before looking to the cyclocross season once again.
-
-
Van Rysel Women's Winter Cycling Bib Tights Quick Zip Review
Van Rysel’s Winter Bib Tights are an affordable option for those continuing to ride outdoors in the colder weather. The Quick-Zip system is a nice idea and certainly makes for a swift comfort break. However, the fit and comfort of the tights are compromised by it, and there are practical issues with it too.
By Emma Silversides •
-
French doctor accused of inciting doping and illegally practicing medicine faces two-year jail sentence
Prosecutors have also requested Bernard Sainz receives a €30,000 and a permanent ban from sport and health fields
By Ryan Dabbs •
-
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2022: all you need to know
Everything you need to know about the 2022 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in Belgium on Saturday, February 26 - plus previous winners and what to expect from the first cobbled classic of the year
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Mathieu van der Poel finishes in top-10 of all Monuments in just 14 months
The Dutch star is the second fastest rider ever to achieve the feat, behind Eddy Merckx
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Mathieu van der Poel says he 'was the most broken of all' in Paris-Roubaix sprint
The Dutchman has now finished in the top-10 in each of the sport's five Monuments
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
-
'I think it would be quite cool if it rains': Mathieu van der Poel ready to take on the challenge at debut Paris-Roubaix
The Dutch rider comes into the 'Hell of the North' after a solid top 10 at the World Championships
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Mathieu van der Poel will ride World Championships road race
The Dutch star has recovered from his back injury enough to compete for the rainbow bands
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Mathieu van der Poel focussed on Paris-Roubaix, but coach holds his World Championships place
The Dutchman returned to action last Sunday at Antwerp Port Epic and now faces a race against time to be fit for the Worlds and Paris-Roubaix
By Ryan Dabbs •
-
Mathieu van der Poel stuns with one-day race victory despite back injury
The Dutch superstar says chances of riding Paris-Roubaix and World Championships are 'now higher than 50/50'
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Mathieu van der Poel cleared to race again as back injury threatens rest of 2021 season
The Dutchman still has big plans for the last few months of the year, but will his back hold up under the strain
By Alex Ballinger •
