Mark Cavendish will not be at the start of the Driedaagse De Panne, as he has not yet recovered from the gastroenteritis that hit him last week after Milano–Sanremo.

Cavendish suffered a difficult night, and the team’s medical staff decided not to start the British champion this morning.

“I’m really disappointed,” said Cavendish. “Sunday I felt better, and I was able to train well, but Sunday night I was sick again and had diarrhea. I decided to come to the race anyway, hoping that the situation would improve, but I started vomiting and having diarrhea again last night, at about 2 a.m. I’m in no shape to start, especially because I can’t eat or drink anything. After Sanremo I wanted to continue to get some good results and ride well both at Gent-Wevelgem and here at the Driedaagse. It really is a big disappointment not to be able to race.”

Cavendish will return home this afternoon and will undergo tests over the next few days. His racing program will be reevaluated in the next few days as well.

Starting at 14.25 CEST you can follow the hilly first stage of the race here. You can read our preview here.