Mathieu van der Poel’s name was conspicuous by its absence from the start list for Saturday’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Photo: ARN/Gautier Demouveaux
Mathieu van der Poel’s name was conspicuous by its absence from the start list for Saturday’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
The Dutch star had been expected to be named in Alpecin-Fenix’s line-up for the one-day race between Gent and Ninove.
The 28-year-old won the opening stage of the ongoing UAE Tour only for his team to pull out of the race ahead of the second stage after a staff member tested positive for Covid-19.
Speculation regarding his chances of racing on the cobblestones of Flanders’ iconic region mounted immediately after his premature exit from the race.
However, his name was not among those released by organisers for the 76th edition of the race.
Alpecin-Fenix will be represented at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad by Jasper Philipsen, Silvan Dillier, Oscar Riesebeek, Dries De Bondt, Xandro Meurisse, Otto Vergaerde and Senne Leysen.
However, in good news for Van der Poel’s legion of supporters, he is expected to race in Sunday’s Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne race.
