The tall, powerful Tim DeClercq pulling the peloton has been a tradition at the Classic for the past few years, but for the second year in a row, the world's best domestique has been diagnosed with pericarditis, an inflammation of the lining of the heart, and this opening weekend he He will not be accompanying Quick Step Alpha Vinyl.

DeClercq wrote on Instagram that he began experiencing symptoms during last week's Volta ao Algarve and was given time off the bike by the team doctor as a precautionary measure.

"Unfortunately no Omloop Het Newsblad. 'But a few hours after the first stage in Algarve, I got really sick. I was diagnosed with pericarditis."

Symptoms of pericarditis usually include chest pain and an irregular heartbeat. Pericarditis is usually the result of a viral or bacterial infection and usually resolves once the infection is cured.

The 32-year-old says his symptoms have already subsided, but he will follow his doctor's advice to "take the next few weeks off the bike" because he wants to be sure there are no long-term negative effects.

In other words, DeClercq will not be chasing the breakaway group or splitting the field in a crosswind, but will be watching the team from his couch and cheering "with a (figuratively) slightly bloodthirsty heart."