The Alpecin Phoenix team will head to Hungary for the start of the Giro d'Italia without sprinter Tim Merlier. The Belgian suffered a deep elbow injury in a crash in Paris-Roubaix.

"Unfortunately Tim will not be able to compete in this year's Giro d'Italia. His blood test results (increased CRP and blood sedimentation, no white blood cell increase [all markers of inflammation, editor's note]), training, and wound healing progress (according to his surgeon) are not such that he can start the Giro on May 6."

Merlier was scheduled to compete in the Italian Grand Tour with Mathieu van der Pol, but will instead look to a training camp in late May.

"We will increase the volume and intensity of training starting next weekend. The trainers will continue to monitor Tim's condition as he recovers. Blood tests and an overall check-up will be scheduled within the next two weeks," the team concluded.

Last season, Mellier made his Grand Tour debut at the Giro d'Italia, winning the first sprint stage to Novara ahead of Italian champion Giacomo Nizzolo and Elia Viviani and wearing the Ciclamino points jersey. However, he left the race on stage 10, citing fatigue.

Mélié then raced with Van der Pol in the Tour de France, again achieving success on stage 3. Alpecin-Phoenix finished second in this stage along with Jasper Philipsen. Mellier left the race on stage 9 of the Tour de France after dropping out of the groupe on a grueling stage with five major climbs.

He will re-enter the Tour de France in July with Van der Pol.