Mark Cavendish was forced to do without his main leadout for the remainder of the Giro d'Italia, Michal Morkov.

The Dane has a reputation as the top leadout in the peloton and has already contributed to Cavendish's stage win in the first week of racing. On stage 3, Balatonfüred, he led the Manx man in a fast finish that included some downhills to win his 160th career victory.

"On the advice of the team's medical staff, Michael Morkov will not start today's Giro stage due to an overnight fever," Quick-Step Alphavinir said in a statement.

"Everyone at Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl wishes Michael a speedy recovery!" said Quick Step Alpha Vinyl in a statement.

Morkov, 37, joined the Belgian team in 2018 after seven years with Saxo Bank and two years with Katusha. He has established himself as one of the best leadouts in cycling history.

Since joining the team, he has contributed significantly to the 15 Grand Tour sprint victories won by Elia Viviani, Sam Bennett, and Mark Cavendish, helping the trio take the Tour de France green jersey twice and the Giro d'Italia's Maria Ciclamino He helped the trio win the Tour de France green jersey twice and the Giro d'Italia Maria Ciclamino.

This season he supported team sprinters Cavendish and Fabio Jacobsen to three wins, including victories for Cavendish at the UAE Tour, Paris-Nice, and Milan-Torino.

Quick-Step Alfa Vinyl will be forced to readjust its sprint train throughout the remaining stages of the Giro d'Italia.

Mauro Schmidt, Bert van Lerberghe, and Davide Ballerini have been a major part of the lead-out train in previous races. A total of 171 riders will take part in the start of stage 7 in Diamante.