Philippe Gilbert will miss his most important preparation race for the Clasica San Sebastian. Illness has forced him to withdraw from the Tour de Wallonie which starts tomorrow.

Past world road champion Philippe Gilbert will not start the Tour de Wallonie after coming down with a fever, BMC Racing Team Chief Medical Officer Dr. Max Testa said Friday. Winner of Amstel Gold Race, Brabantse Pijl and the Ster ZLM Toer, Gilbert was planning to be part of the BMC Racing Team's seven-man roster for the Belgian race that begins Saturday.

"Philippe is being seen at a local hospital for a possible respiratory infection," Testa said. "So for precautionary measures, we decided it was best for him to not start the race."

The BMC Racing Team will not replace Gilbert in the line-up, President/General Manager Jim Ochowicz said.