Tiesj Benoot has been sidelined by injury. The Belgian, who recently joined Decathlon CMA CGM, underwent surgery for a herniated disc after experiencing constant pain in training. The thirty-one-year-old Flemish rider's recovery time is still unclear, but it's highly likely that his Northern Classics season will be jeopardized .

It is indeed impossible for Benoot to take part in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on February 28th, but it is possible that his entire spring calendar, which included most of the cobbled races and the Ardennes Triptych , will also have to be cancelled.  

Benoot himself has made it clear that he will most likely miss the Northern Classics: "It's a real disappointment for me to miss the Classics for the first time in my career. I'll be the first person to cheer on my teammates on TV. I'm extremely motivated to return to a higher level than ever. A huge thank you to the team for the trust they've shown me during these difficult times."