Quick-Step Floors team leader Tom Boonen will not ride today's Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, with the team saying that he is suffering from "stomach problems".
Despite crashing in yesterday's Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Boonen had been expected to take part in today's race, an event that he has previously won on three occasions. However Quick-Step confirmed on Twitter that he would not be taking to the start line, and with no replacement available that they will start with only seven riders.
The Belgian Classics legend, who is riding his last few races with retirement planned after Paris-Roubaix, crashed with around 60 kilometres remaining in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday. He continued to ride for a short distance before abandoning, although didn't appear to be suffering from anything more than road rash.
Boonen will now travel to Italy to take part in Tirreno-Adriatico, which starts on March 8, before returning to Belgium in the second half of the month for his last few races as a professional.
-
-
More medals for Britain at Track World Championships but Italy steal the show
It was medals galore on day two of the Track World Championships in Roubaix with Italy taking the lion's share
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
DT Swiss rejoins the Pro Tour with Lotto Soudal
Wheel giants partner with Belgian outfit for the 2022 season
By Luke Friend •
-
Julian Alaphilippe and Remco Evenepoel share their thoughts ahead of Il Lombardia 2021
The two Deceuninck - Quick-Step riders come into the final Monument of the year as two of the main favourites
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Julian Alaphilippe says losing the rainbow jersey would have been 'a certain form of relief'
The French star stormed to an amazing second world title in a row on the roads of Leuven
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Sam Bennett makes return to Deceuninck - Quick-Step squad in Belgian one-day race
The Irish sprinter has fallen out with management, recently racing the European Championships without consulting with the team
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Mark Cavendish explains mid-race frustration to viewers during Tour of Britain breakaway
The 'Manx Missile' became frustrated with the motorbikes helping two riders the break had deliberately dropped
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
'Not much is missing': Julian Alaphilippe says he's close to peak fitness for World Championship defence
The current world champion put in an incredible effort on the Great Orme at the Tour of Britain
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Mark Cavendish unsure if he will remain at Deceuninck - Quick-Step but vows 'I will get even better'
The 36-year-old is racing this week's Tour of Britain
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
-
Remco Evenepoel 'couldn't eat anything until one hour before the time trial' at Benelux Tour as he considers abandoning
The former European time trial champion finished almost 40 seconds down on stage winner Stefan Bissegger
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
'You should realise your mistake': Remco Evenepoel shouts at Gianni Vermeersch after opening stage of Benelux Tour 2021
The young Belgian had a very long wait for his front wheel to be changed by neutral service
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
