Quinten Hermans drops out of Amstel Gold Race with illness, Ardennes classics are at risk

Quinten Hermans built up towards the Ardennes classics and recently expressed a lot of confidence having followed the same training plans as Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen. He hoped to replicate their success, but is now ill and having the whole Ardennes classics at risk.

The cyclocross rider turned classics specialist is skipping Amstel Gold Race last minute, as said in a press release. "The symptoms have been present for a few days," he said. "And the illness is not yet under control enough to start tomorrow. I better take some extra rest, hoping to be fit at the start of the two Ardennes classics."

Alpecin-Deceuninck has had great success over the past few weeks but don't have a team as sharp towards the Ardennes. Hermans recently showed good form racing to 11th place and hoped to have good chances, fighting for a result such as last year's second place at Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

He will be replaced by Jimmy Janssens in the Belgian team's lineup, Alpecin will start the race with Soren Kragh Andersen and Gianni Vermeersch as contenders for a strong result.