Still convalescing from injuries sustained in a crash at the the Tour of Flanders, Tom Boonen will not take to the starting line in the Tour of California, which starts next week. Omega Pharma-QuickStep team manager Patrick Lefevere verified the Belgian’s non-participation yesterday.

"We find that he has not recuperated sufficiently. He is still suffering from the knee which he had surgery on and also his thigh and his back hurt,” Lefevere told Belgian sports daily sporza.be. “This should be dealt with first, the rest will follow. Tom trains already, but not yet fully. The Tour of California this year is also very difficult.”

The former World Champion is expected to return to action at the Tour of Belgium, May 22-26. Lefevere and Boonen will meet on Wednesday to discuss the Boonen’s itinerary for the remainder of the season.

Entering the spring Classic in his native country as one of the pre-race favourites, Boonen crashed out only 19 km into the race as he hit a road sign, injuring his left knee, hip and elbow and also breaking a rib.