Quick Step’s Steven de Jongh sidelined with muscle tear.

By VeloNews.Com

Dutch rider Steven de Jongh will miss the upcoming spring classics due to a painful muscle tear that will require surgery.
 
The Quick Step veteran was unable to defend his title at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne last weekend because he thought he was suffering from tendonitis dating back to a nasty crash at the Tour of Qatar in January.
 
Further tests Tuesday, however, revealed that he has a torn bicep femoris muscle, the team reported.
 
De Jongh is scheduled for surgery on Friday at the Herentals Clinic in Belgium. He will be sidelined for at least six weeks.
 
“This is a tough blow for Steven, and for the entire team,” said team manager Patrick Lefevere. “We’ve lost a great rider for the cobblestone classics and a professional mentor for the less experienced riders in the team. However we’re sure that Steven will be working to get better and get back to giving his all to the team as soon as possible.”
 
Tops wins for the 35-year-old De Jongh include two wins at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and victory in E3 Prijs Vlaanderen.

FILED UNDER: Road