Van Petegem to skip Milan-San Remo

Steels also in doubt

Belgian classics specialist Peter Van Petegem (Davitamon-Lotto) will not race this Saturday's Milan-San Remo, according to reports in the Belgian press. "I want to concentrate on the Flemish races," said Van Petegem. "I made the decision on the first day of Tirreno-Adriatico. I feel good enough, but not super. And we all know how Milan-San Remo will finish: with a sprint."

Van Petegem added that he thought his decision was "not illogical...The Flemish classics suit me more and it is in these races that I want to be at my best." The closest Van Petegem has finished to the podium in Milan-San Remo is 7th, in both 1998 and 1999.

His Davitamon-Lotto teammate Tom Steels will also likely miss La Primavera. "The chance is great, yes, but we'll wait a bit longer," said team manager Marc Sergeant. "On Tuesday evening we'll decide who does and who doesn't start. Tom Steels has sharpened his condition in Tirreno-Adriatico, but Milan-San Remo is probably a bit too soon."