It is the second time this season that Vandenbergh has been forced out of a major event due to injury, after he had to pull out of the Tour de France on the eve of the race due to a saddle sore.
"It's a sad moment for me because it was a great season so far," Vandenbergh said. "The Worlds is one of the biggest events and I was looking forward to helping the team get a good result but now I can't do it. It's a hard moment, but when you ride for your country you have to be 100 percent, which is not the case now.
“We made this decision in agreement with Omega Pharma-QuickStep medical staff and Belgian national team coach Carlo Bomans. I hope to recover as best as possible to return to competition as soon as I can.”
For Devenyns, Valkenburg will mark his first appearance in the world championships at elite level. The 29-year-old competed at the GP de Québec and GP de Montréal in Canada last weekend and will also line up at the GP Impanis – Van Petegem before travelling to Limburg.
"I'm happy to be selected for Worlds," Devenyns said. "It's a big goal. I want to do well on this course, it’s good for me, so I think I can give a good contribution to the team.
“Life is strange because I’m taking the place of Stijn, who is my teammate but also a friend. I am sad for him and hope he can recover well.”
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Devenyns gets the nod for the Belgian team ahead of Jelle Vanendert (Lotto Belisol), who had already expressed his dismay at being named as a reserve for the Worlds. Vanendert finished second at Amstel Gold Race in April, a race which, like the Worlds, features the climbs of the Bemelerberg and Cauberg.
