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.
Unfortunately, @tomboonen1 won't start #KBK due to stomach problems. Have a fast recovery, Tom, and see you in #Tirreno!
— Quick-Step Cycling (@quickstepteam) February 26, 2017
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.
