Belgian one-day star Tiesj Benoot is to miss the Spring Classics, following a back operation on a herniated disc. It's a far from ideal start for the 31-year-old at his new Decathlon CMA CGM team, for whom the former Strade Bianche winner was set to have been a leading Classics hope.
"During his winter preparation, Tiesj Benoot experienced back pain that disrupted his training schedule," the team said in a press release. "Following a consultation and diagnosis by the team’s medical department, a disc herniation was identified, requiring surgical intervention.
