Alexandre Vlasov withdrew from the Tour of the Alps before the final stage in order to participate in Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday.

He was in seventh place overall in the Tour of the Alps, 49 seconds behind race leader Tao Geoghegan Hart (Ineos). Vlasov finished 14th in Liège-Bastogne-Liège a year ago.

Beulah Hansgrohe announced Vlasov's abandonment on Friday morning, clarifying that he had been used for Liège-Bastogne-Liège because the rider he had been using for the race was unavailable.

"Due to illness and lack of riders in Belgium, @ale_vlasov will not race today's final stage @Tourof_TheAlps and will instead travel to Belgium for the @LiegeBastogneL," a statement from Beulah Hansgrohe on Friday morning (new open in tab) was released.

The 26-year-old will join Beulah Hansgrohe's lineup with Jai Hindley at Liege Bastogne Liege. Max Schachmann was scheduled to compete in La Doyenne, but abandoned the Tour of the Alps after Wednesday's stage due to a viral infection.

Vlasov, who finished fifth overall in last year's Tour de France, will lead Bora-Hansgrohe in the upcoming Giro d'Italia on a route suited to his abilities.

Vlasov has already finished fifth overall at Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and ninth overall at Tirreno-Adriatico this season, and finished second behind teammate Lennard Kämna on stage 3 of the Tour de Alps

He was second overall in the Tour de l'Adriatico.

Despite heavy rain overnight, Tour of the Alps organizers confirmed that Friday's final stage would take place on the scheduled route.

"In full agreement with the CPA and representatives of the teams, the race will take place as originally planned, including the climb of Lavazet," a statement said.