Hoffman out for the classics

The main casualty of the first Belgian race of the season was Dutch classics specialist Tristan Hoffman (CSC), who crashed halfway through the race and suffered an open fracture on his left shin. At first Hoffman was taken to the hospital in Geraardsbergen, but was later transferred to the University Hospital in Gent, where he will undergo surgery on Saturday evening.

"It's going to be a while before Tristan gets back on his bike. We already know for sure, that he won't ride any of the spring classics this year," stated Team CSC's team doctor Joost De Maeseneer.