07.04.2014 @ 17:24 Posted by Andy Pedersen

Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team has announced the selection that will participate in 200.9km Scheldeprijs on Wednesday, April 9th. Mark Cavendish will not participate after suffering from gastroenteritis the previous week, which resulted in a lack of crucial training that is necessary to prepare him to be a presence in the race.



"I am sad to miss a race that is very close to my heart, my first win as a professional," Cavendish said. "But it wouldn't be fair to the race and for my team if I couldn't arrive and perform at my best. With a team built around me, I wouldn't feel right in asking my teammates to sacrifice themselves if I'm not in condition to perform."



As already announced yesterday by Team Manager Patrick Lefevere, Cavendish could return to competition at Tour of Turkey, even if it's not yet decided. The official program of Mark Cavendish will be decided next week.



"The Team for Scheldeprijs was originally built around Mark," Sport Director Wilfried Peeters said. "Unfortunately Mark won't be at the start, so we will have to reconsider a bit our race strategy. However, in the team we have a few fast men that can be there in the final and go for the sprint. The race will be also an important preparation prior to Paris-Roubaix. "

The OPQS line-up for Scheldeprijs:

Tom Boonen, Andrew Fenn, Alessandro Petacchi, Mark Renshaw, Gert Steegmans, Matteo Trentin, Stijn Vandenbergh and Martin Velits.