Justine Ghekiere will not be lining up for Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on 1st March after falling ill in the lead-up to the race. The AG Insurance-Soudal rider was set to make her debut in the Opening Weekend but has been forced to withdraw after failing to recover in time.
Her absence sees Fauve Bastiaenssen drafted in to complete the team’s six-rider lineup, which now consists of:
AG Insurance-Soudal for Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
- Gaia Masetti
- Fauve Bastiaenssen
- Anya Louw
- Alexandra Manly
- Ilse Pluimers
- Gladys Verhulst-Wild
“It’s disappointing that I won’t be at the start of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad,” Ghekiere said. “I was really looking forward to making my debut and taking on the cobbles in this prestigious spring classic.”
With Ghekiere out, Gladys Verhulst-Wild could be AG Insurance-Soudal’s best chance for a result. The French rider showed strong form at the UAE Tour Women, finishing 5th and 6th in recent sprint stages. If she can navigate the cobbles and positioning battles that define Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, she has the potential to secure a strong result.
AG Insurance-Soudal extended their well wishes for Ghekiere’s recovery and expect to see her back in the peloton soon.
