A major blow for the Belgian national team just days before the Cycling World Championships in Rwanda: Tiesj Benoot has tested positive for Covid-19 and will be unable to participate in Sunday's elite road race.

The 31-year-old rider, who has already participated in seven editions of the World Championships, felt unwell over the weekend during the Super 8 Classic and, after three positive tests, was forced to withdraw from the world championship.

"I wasn't feeling well during the Super 8 Classic on Saturday, but I thought it was the effect of the latest vaccination I received ahead of the World Championships," Benoot explained. "On Sunday, it didn't improve, so I decided to take a COVID test. I took three, and they were all positive. Even though the symptoms are very mild, it doesn't seem wise or healthy to take any risks."

Louis Vervaeke, described by Belgian coach Serge Pauwels as a "more than worthy replacement," has been called up in his place. Vervaeke will join Victor Campenaerts, Ilan Van Wilder, Quinten Hermans, Xandro Meurisse, Cian Uijtdebroeks, and Florian Vermeersch in the team supporting captain Remco Evenepoel.

The loss of Benoot, who recently finished seventh at the Montréal GP and fourth at the San Sebastian Classic, is particularly painful given his excellent condition: "I felt really good. I was in great shape in Montréal and felt I could have a great World Championships for Remco. Unfortunately, I'll have to watch the race on TV. I hope to finish the season on a high with the European Championships and the Giro di Lombardia."

Pauwels emphasized the significance of losing Benoot, who would have been a road captain alongside Campenaerts and could have supported Evenepoel in the final stages of the 267.5km stage in Kigali. Now the team will have to rely on Van Wilder, Uijtdebroeks, and Vervaeke for the decisive stages of the race.