Intermarché Circus Wanty sent five riders to the top 20 in Paris-Roubaix in 2022. The Belgian team had big plans this year, including the debut of Biniam Guillemay, but injuries and illnesses in recent weeks have decimated the Belgian team.

Five of the riders who were set to compete in Paris-Roubaix, including Guillemay, were unable to compete due to injury and illness, and last weekend's race in Oudenaarde took a heavy toll on the team. On Sunday, three Intermarché Circus Wanty riders were taken to the hospital after crashing in the Tour of Flanders: Taco van der Hoorn, Biniam Guillemay, and Aimé de Ghent. Two days later, their recovery went well and they were all able to leave the hospital."

"Despite this encouraging development, the World Team will have to head to Paris-Roubaix on Sunday, April 9 without these three riders.

Gil May, the 2022 Ghent-Wevelgem winner, left the hospital in Kortrijk on Tuesday afternoon.

"Like Taco van der Hoorn, his recovery from the concussion is going well and additional tests showed no fractures," said team doctor Ortwin Schaefer.

"They both need a few days of rest to avoid the long-term effects of concussion. It will also take time for the wounds to heal."

"In the case of Taco van der Hoorn, he suffered a cut on his eyebrow bow, while Biniam Girmay is suffering from abrasions and contusions on his body and face. Both are expected to resume sports in phases over the next few weeks.

De Gendt, who broke his left elbow, also underwent surgery, and the team added that "once the bandage is removed in 10 days, he will be able to resume training on the rollers."

Retirements were not the only crashes in the Tour of Flanders. Last year's sixth-place finisher, Adrien Petit, crashed in the Dwar door Hlaanderen, breaking a bone in his hand.

"With five strong riders missing in Roubaix due to injury or illness, young talent will once again have the opportunity to show their strength," said Eike Visbæk, performance manager of Intermarché Circus Wanty. [They will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience with Mike Tunissen and Baptiste Plancale. They feel they are ready to take on this challenge."

Joining Tunissen and Plankaert on the team will be Lorenz Rex, 23, who joined Intermarche this season from Bingor Pauwels Source, and 20-year-old Belgian Dries De Pooter. Both completed their first Tour de Flanders on Sunday. The team has yet to announce its full Paris-Roubaix squad.

"In order to pursue good results, we must use all tactical options and certainly be aggressive," Visbeek said.