Leukemans and Devolder up in the air for Belgian team

Belgium is having a hard time putting a team together for the World Championships. Tom Boonen and Nick Nuyens have already had to back out because of injuries, and Stijn Devolder is to decide today whether his knee injury will prevent him from riding. If that's not enough bad news for national coach Carlo Bomans, he has now heard that Björn Leukemans (Predictor-Lotto) is now doubtful.

"Friday I suddenly had a migraine attack," Leukemans told hln.be. "I stayed in bed the whole day Saturday and was able to train a little bit yesterday. I now have to decide whether I will be able to ride on Sunday or not. Tomorrow or Wednesday I will have to see how it goes."

Bomans expected to hear sometime Monday as to whether Devolder would participate. "I trained some on Friday and the pain was bearable," the rider told Het Nieuewsblad. "I will discuss it with my doctor and then decide whether I can ride in the Worlds on Sunday."

"I know that Stijn will make his decision with honour and conscience," Bomans said to Sporza. "If he needs an extra day to be absolutely certain, then he will get it. I have told him that he must not endanger himself."