Defending champion Mads Pedersen will not start the Fiandre Fields (the new name for Gand-Wevelgem) tomorrow due to a seasonal illness.

The three-time winner recently returned to competition after a quick recovery from a wrist fracture, racing the Milano-Sanremo and yesterday's Saxo Classic E3, races in which the wrist caused no problems even on the pavé. However, due to a malaise that has affected him, the team and rider have agreed that rest is the best choice. The goal is for Mads to fully recover in time for the Dwars door Vlaanderen, the Ronde van Vlaanderen, and the Paris-Roubaix.

Here are Mads' words: "I'm sorry to share this news, this spring hasn't been exactly as we hoped. But this doesn't take away our dreams, it doesn't slow down the hard work and it doesn't diminish our confidence in victory. I won't start the @inflandersfieldsrace tomorrow due to a malaise. Now it's time to fully recover and focus on the big objectives next week! I wish the best to my teammates for tomorrow and hope they can maintain the number 1 jersey for the team in 2027".

Despite Mads' absence, Lidl-Trek will still aim for the top step of the podium with a strong team, which includes Jonathan Milan, who finished third last year. Alongside him will be Søren Kragh Andersen, Mathias Norsgaard, Jakob Söderqvist, Tim Torn Teutenberg, Edward Theuns, and Mathias Vacek.