Sep Vanmarcke describes painful injuries that are keeping him out of Paris-Roubaix
Tour of Flanders crash leaves Belgian Sep Vanmarcke with painful injuries to both hands, ruling him out of riding in Sunday's Paris-Roubaix - Taylor Phinney also in doubt for Cannondale-Drapac
Sep Vanmarcke has described the painful injuries to both of his hands that mean he has been forced to miss Paris-Roubaix on Sunday (April 9).
Cannondale-Drapac's Classics leader broke a finger and 'lost a lot of skin' in the Tour of Flanders, and is not able to hold his handlebars and brake effectively.
“The broken pinky on my right hand makes it impossible to put my hands on top of the bars," said Vanmarcke. "I can put them on the brakes, and I can brake with two fingers. But each time I hit a bump or anything, it’s painful.
“The larger problem is my left hand, because the skin is off every finger. I cannot brake with that hand — it’s just too painful to put the pressure on it. Also, my right knee is still a problem. It would make no sense to be at the start line. I lost a lot of skin off it.”
>>> Paris-Roubaix 2017: Latest news and info
Vanmarcke will come away from the 2017 season – his first for Cannondale-Drapac – without the chance for a Cobbled Classics win, having been ruled out of contention in the Tour of Flanders, and now being withdrawn from the start list for Paris-Roubaix.
The 28-year-old Belgian must be wondering what he has to do to win another Classic, having been a regular feature on the podium and top 10s of the biggest spring races for at least the past seven seasons.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
His sole Cobbled Classic victory came in 2012, when he won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Since then, he has placed second in Paris Roubaix (2013), third in the Tour Flanders (2014 and 2016) and second in Ghent-Wevelgem (2016).
A third place in this year's Omloop Het Nieuwsblad looked like a sign of his rising form, but a crash on the Paterberg during the Tour of Flanders has again left him wondering what could have been.
“I’m really, really disappointed. I start training for these races on the first of November. My focus is always on these races," said Vanmarcke.
"Omloop went well, but from Strade Bianche I started to go wrong. A crash, the ribs, then I had the stomach problems, then this crash. So I’ve been fighting a lot, and always coming back.
"It’s a disappointment. I was never on my top level, and I could never show what level I was at.”
Cannondale-Drapac's injury woes have not stopped there, as there is still some doubt that American Taylor Phinney will be fit to take part in Paris-Roubaix. Phinney was forced to withdraw from Flanders after crashing and suffering from concussion.
A decision will be made on Phinney's participation later this week.
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
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
I'm not into cake stops - but - I made an exception to rate five British delicacies in one ride
Of all the cakes named after places in the north-west of England, which is the tastiest? Simon Warren sets out to sample them all in a single epic ride
By Simon Warren Published
-
The Rugby Flyer flies again: the story of the first sub-hour '25' time trial
How one record-breaking bike – and the memory of the man who rode it – live on
By James Shrubsall Published
-
‘I was just on a mad one’ - Lewis Askey reflects back on the ride that helped him turn pro
British rider remembers his victory at Paris-Roubaix juniors
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
From broken back to Paris-Roubaix podium: Bob Donaldson is making a statement
Second at Paris-Roubaix Espoirs, just a year after his career was almost cut short, the young Brit is ready to turn pro
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'There's blood on my handlebars': Inside one rider's debut at Paris-Roubaix Juniors
Patrick Casey got his chance to ride the Hell of the North after going through the Red Bull Junior Brothers programme
By Adam Becket Published
-
Elia Viviani says helmet 'saved his life' in Paris-Roubaix crash
The Italian abandoned the race after 40km on Sunday, but left without any fractures
By Adam Becket Published
-
Opinion: Mathieu van der Poel firmly grasps legend status with second Paris-Roubaix victory
Reigning world champion deserves his place alongside Roger de Vlaeminck and Eddy Merckx as one of cycling’s greatest-ever one-day racers
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Van der Poel ‘in a different league’ at Paris-Roubaix, says Mads Pedersen
Former world champion forced to settle for third on the podium behind Van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘It’s a completely different beast’ - Tom Pidcock happy with top 20 finish after ‘epic’ Paris-Roubaix debut
British rider was unable to grip his handlebars properly in the finale as the last cobbled sectors arrived
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I just wanted to make it a hard final' - Mathieu van der Poel on 'unplanned' Paris-Roubaix winning attack
The world champion launched his race winning move on the Orchie cobbled sector, almost 60 kilometres from the Roubaix velodrome
By Tom Thewlis Published