McEwen out, Gilbert in for Tour of Belgium

Flanders-based Australian rider Robbie McEwen has failed to recover from a knee injury in time for next week’s Ronde van België, or Tour of Belgium. The injury, caused by a tendon bursitis, has affected him several times this season, during an otherwise successful comeback from his serious accident in the 2009 Tour of Belgium, when he fractured the tip of his left tibia after crashing into a road sign.

However, Omega Pharma Lotto team’s Philippe Gilbert will take part in the Ronde, despite being fatigued after a long Classics season, which saw him reach number one in the International Cyclist Union's world ranking. Gilbert plans to give the Tour de France a miss this year, but will line up for the five-day, 702-kilometre Ronde, which begins on 26 May in Eeklo. It passes through Knokke-Heist, Mechelen and Herzele, before ending its fifth ride in Herstal, Liège province.

Leo Cendrowicz

(May 19, 2010)