Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team has announced the selection that will participate in Gent-Wevelgem.

Mark Cavendish won’t take the start on Sunday as the consequence of a viral infection and a fever that started on Wednesday, March 26th.

 “Already on Wednesday I didn’t feel well, but I went out on my bike,” Cavendish said. “I went out yesterday again, but after an hour I had muscle pain and couldn’t keep going. I went home at about 15 kilometers per hour. I couldn’t go any faster and I spent the rest of the day on my bed. Today my situation was a little bit better, but not enough to jump on my bike and train. I am a little bit disappointed because I was really motivated for Gent-Wevelgem. It’s a race I’ve never won. But there is nothing to do now other than recover and try to be there at Driedaagse van De Panne, as scheduled in my program. I’d like to wish my teammates the best at the race this Sunday.”

Iljo Keisse will replace Cavendish on Sunday. Matteo Trentin also returns to competition after missing E3 Harelbeke due to gastroenteritis.

OPQS for Gent-Wevelgem (233km):

Tom Boonen (BEL)

Iljo Keisse (BEL)

Nikolas Maes (BEL)

Gert Steegmans (BEL)

Zdenek Stybar (CZE)

Matteo Trentin (ITA)

Stijn Vandenbergh (BEL)

Martin Velits (SVK)