Sick Roelandts replaces ill van Avermaet

Silence-Lotto's Greg van Avermaet has been replaced by Jürgen Roelandts in the Belgian team's roster for this weekend's race, which mark the opening of Belgian's Spring season. The ProTour outfit confirmed yesterday that van Avermaet would sit out the race, after suffering from a middle-ear infection that affects his sense of balance.

"Of course I am sorry, but it's not the end of the world," van Avermaet told Sportwereld.be. "This is not a permanent problem, and that makes it bearable."

"I hope to participate in the GP Samyn on March 4, but the most important thing is to get well again," added the 22 year-old.

Roelandt will take van Avermaet's place on the Silence-Lotto squad for Omloop Het Volk and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. The rider, also 22 years of age, finished sixth overall in the Volta ao Algarve. He will not be in top shape for the weekend races, however, because he came home from Portugal sick.