Tom Boonen, who suffered a crash at the back of the peloton at Paris-Nice Stage 1 on Monday, was diagnosed with a left acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation after examinations were performed immediately at Centre Hospitalier in Blois. Boonen will have to respect a period of recovery for a minimum of three to six weeks.

"An AC-joint dislocation, as we've already seen with other riders of the team with the same kind of injury, requires an extended time of recovery due to the nature of the injury," Etixx - Quick-Step doctor Yvan van Mol said. "Unfortunately, because of the injury and the time it takes to recover, Boonen will not be able to participate in the Northern Classics. Tomorrow Tom will undergo further examination in Belgium to diagnose the grade of the dislocation and determine if surgery is necessary based on the grade."

More information will be provided in due time.