Ben O'Connor (AG2R Citroën), who was scheduled to lead the team in this weekend's "Boucle Drome Ardèche" (two Pro Series one-day races in the south of France, the Faune Ardèche and Drome Classic), has contracted the flu He will miss the race due to a flu infection.

O'Connor will not be on the AG2R roster.

The Australian was supposed to make his season debut in Europe after an "unsatisfactory" Tour Down Under in which he lost time on stage 3 and missed out on a stage win on the final day.

Also not competing in this weekend's Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is Dylan Theuns (Israel Premier Tech). The Belgian has a bad cold and will be replaced by Guy Sagib.

"My sinuses were already a little inflamed from Ruta del Sol, but Monday through Tuesday night, everything broke down," Theuns told Het Nieuwsblad. [Wednesday he did not run. I tried today [Thursday, editorial board], but I failed. I have no choice but to sit out."

This is the second year in a row that Tüns' classic campaign has been interrupted by illness. Last spring, he contracted COVID-19 and missed Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, but won La Flèche Wallonne.

Without a race this weekend, Tuns said he might change his schedule.

"Basically, there were no races until the Tour de Catalunya, but there might be a few more to add. First we'll go out there and then we'll do another full training session."

Jambovisma revealed that Sam Omen will miss next week's Tirreno-Adriatico after fracturing his shoulder blade in a crash at the Volta Ao Algarve.