Defending champion Pedersen to miss In Flanders Fields through illness: “It affected E3 as well”

Pedersen crashed at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and broke his collarbone and wrist. It looked as though his spring might be derailed, but then he suddenly appeared on the start line at Milano-Sanremo, where he surprised many with fourth place. At the E3 Saxo Classic, he could not follow the strongest riders on the climbs, but still crossed the line in ninth.

That gave reason for optimism ahead of In Flanders Fields, formerly known as Gent-Wevelgem, but Pedersen will now miss the race due to illness. “I’ve been struggling with a cold over the last few days, and that affected the E3 Saxo Classic as well,” Pedersen explained in a Lidl-Trek video Instagram. “The team and the medical staff have decided that I won’t start.”

https://www.instagram.com/reels/DWba6HEDTND/

It is a difficult decision, but the positive news is that his wrist is holding up well on the cobbles. “We’re keeping the focus on the coming week. It has nothing to do with the wrist, because that is improving well. It’s much better than expected. The muscles in and around the arm are sore, of course, because of the lack of movement over the last four or five weeks. But that is completely normal.”

So fans do not need to fear the worst for the Tour of Flanders, which is scheduled for next Sunday. Lidl-Trek will now line up in In Flanders Fields with Jonathan Milan as their leader. He finished third last year. “I wish my teammates all the best, and I hope Johnny can take the win with number one on his back.”