When Tiesj Benoot signed for Decathlon CMA CGM last winter, the move came with the expectation that he would return to leader status at the Classics, but that hope has been dashed before he has even made his racing debut.
The team confirmed on Thursday that the Belgian has suffered a disc herniation, requiring surgery this week, which is set to sideline him from the Spring Classics. He is a former winner of Strade Bianche and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne.
“During his winter preparation, Tiesj Benoot experienced back pain that disrupted his training schedule,” the team explained. “Following a consultation and diagnosis by the team’s medical department, a disc herniation was identified, requiring surgical intervention.”
What now for Decathlon CMA CGM?
The budget-boosted Decathlon CMA CGM team signed Benoot as an important part of their ambitious plans for 2026, which includes aiming for top fives in Monuments, and losing him is a big blow to their cobbled Classics squad.
They will likely still look to the prodigious Paul Seixas in the Ardennes, but their options for the cobbled races are more limited. Other new signing Olav Kooij may be an option for the flatter courses, but his programme is also currently up in the air after illness disrupted his season start.
In Kooij…
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