Philippe Gilbert and Oliver Naesen struck by illness in Tour of Flanders week
Question marks around their form ahead of the Monument


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
The form of Philippe Gilbert and Oliver Naesen has been thrown into doubt ahead of the Tour of Flanders due to illness.
Both Belgians have suffered ailments in the lead-up to the cobbled Monument, with Gilbert pulling out of Dwars door Vlaanderen on Wednesday (April 3) and Naesen finishing 19th.
Gilbert suffered stomach problems early this week, but is hoping to start in Flanders.
Naesen (Ag2r La Mondiale) has been battling a bout of bronchitis and started a course of antibiotics in the hopes of being healthy for Flanders on Sunday (April 7).
>>> British Cycling accused of ‘undermining women’s racing’ as organisers cancel Bristol Grand Prix
He has been on the form of his career this season, finishing second in Milan-San Remo and third in Ghent-Wevelgem, but the illness could threaten his chance of a first major win.
The 28-year-old told cycling news site Wielerflits: “My main task is to stay healthy and ensure this doesn’t get any worse.”
He joked that he may have caught the illness when he was doused in champagne on the podium of Ghent-Wevelgem last week.
Former winner of the Tour of Flanders Gilbert (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) had been experiencing stomach problems on the evening before the Dwars door Vlaanderen.
He started the mid-week event, but was forced to pull out 40km from the finish due to feeling unwell.
Gilbert said on Twitter: “Started Dwars door Vlaanderen with a smile but had to quit the race a bit later with stomach problems.
“Nothing too serious but I didn’t want to take any risk for the coming Sundays.
“Full focus on the Tour of Flanders now.”
>>> ‘Egan Bernal can define an era,’ says Alberto Contador
Another Belgian is questionable for the event this weekend, Sep Vanmarcke.
The EF Education First rider was involved in a high-speed crash at the E3 BinckBank Classic last week, injuring his knee, ribs and ankle.
Vanmarcke skipped Ghent-Wevelgem and Dwars door Vlaanderen, and will test his health during the Flanders recon with the team on Friday.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
Peter Sagan: 10 great moments
Sometimes awe-inspiring, sometimes baffling, but nearly always entertaining, here are some of Peter Sagan's greatest hits
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Indoor training competition shrinks as Wahoo closes down RGT and gives some users Zwift subscription
The American tech company's free virtual riding software is to be shut down at the end of October, with attention turning to structured workouts
By Adam Becket Published
-
Rider slapped with 30 day suspension for causing Tour of Flanders mass pile-up
Filip Maciejuk banned from racing for a month after careering into the front of the bunch after taking to the pavement
By Vern Pitt Published
-
Jumbo-Visma perfect until it really mattered: Five things we learned from the men's cobbled Classic season
Tadej Pogačar should be lining up a tilt at Paris-Roubaix, Mathieu van der Poel has won almost everything he can, and Ineos Grenadiers underwhelmed
By Adam Becket Published
-
'All the pressure was on him': Philippe Gilbert impressed by Kasper Asgreen’s form ahead of Paris-Roubaix
Danish rider finished seventh for Soudal Quick-Step after Patrick Lefevere called for riders to ‘save team’s honour’
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
UCI launches investigation into massive men's Tour of Flanders pileup
World governing body also investigating road-blocking team tactics used by DSM in the race as well as by Trek-Segafredo at Dwars door Vlaanderen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
I went to the Tour of Flanders and was shocked by the exodus of people before the women's race went past
The rush to leave the Kwaremont after the men's race was depressing, and revealing. We all need to do more to support women's cycling
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tadej Pogačar continues to transcend the limits of a Tour de France winner
With Tour of Flanders victory ticked off, it’s hard to bet against him adding the two remaining Monuments to his palmarès in the years to come
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Five things we learned from the Tour of Flanders 2023: Kasper Asgreen could save Quick-Step's spring
Jumbo-Visma are fallible after all, and SD Worx's dominance continues with Roubaix in sight
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Lotte Kopecky successfully defends Tour of Flanders title as SD Worx claim 1-2
With number one on her back, the Belgian won her third Classics race this spring with a powerful show of strength
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published