McEwen out of Flanders, Hoste feeling better

The Predictor-Lotto team had good and bad news on Wednesday about their team leaders. The bad news came from Robbie McEwen who had to cancel his final training ride on the Tour of Flanders course and will not take the start on Sunday. The Australian sprinter tested his legs on Tuesday along the course of the Three Days of De Panne, but on Wednesday he woke up with gastroenteritis. It's another setback for McEwen who was bothered with back problems after crashes in Tirreno-Adriatico and in Milano-Sanremo.

The good news came from Leif Hoste, the Belgian team leader from Predictor-Lotto for the Spring Classics. "Besides Hoste there is no team leader," said team manager Marc Sergeant on Tuesday to Cyclingnews, "we hope he gets ready for the Tour of Flanders. If not, we (will) prepare him for Paris-Roubaix."

But after Wednesday's stage, Cyclingnews had a quick chat with the Belgian, and his expression said it all. "I'm feeling better, much better," Hoste confirmed. "From bad to super, it's impossible in a few days. Coming over to the Three Days of De Panne was playing all or nothing, but it looks like it was the best decision."