PVP under the weather?

Speaking of the weather, pre-race favourite for the Tour of Flanders and winner in 1999 and 2003, Peter Van Petegem, was said to have been feeling under the weather, and decided not to start today's final double stage of the Driedaagse van De Panne.

"Peter is feeling a bit under the weather and has decided not to take risks with coming Sunday in mind," said Davitamon-Lotto PR-man Philip Demyttenaere. "He won't be starting in Thursday's last stage and the closing time-trial of the Three days de Panne."

However, the rider himself said later that he's feeling healthy and didn't start at the risk of jeopardising his chances for Sunday. Other riders that chose not to take to the start this morning's stage were Belgians Gorik Gardeyn, Koen Barbé, Glenn D'Hollander, Johan Verstrepen and Steven Caethoven, while Quick.Step's Tom Boonen said that the finish in the morning stage could have easily been the most dangerous one so far this year, and decided not to contest the final sprint because of that. Boonen will not ride the time-trial this afternoon.