Trek-Segafredo has announced a last-minute change to its rider registration for Milan-San Remo after defending champion Jasper Stuyven pulled out of the race after Paris-Nice due to illness. Mads Pedersen, winner of stage 3 of the French WorldTour race, will replace him as leader on Saturday.

"It's a big disappointment to be out of shape this early in the season," Stuyven said the day before a scheduled pre-race press conference. Of course I was excited to race with the number 1 on my back after winning my first Monument last year. I thought I had made it through Paris-Nice in one piece, but obviously I picked up something there."

Many athletes suffered illness or injury during Paris-Nice, with only 59 finishers, the lowest number since 1985. Many of them were reportedly victims of viruses other than COVID-19, which was spread by race officials.

"For me, I am focused on getting healthy before the upcoming Cobblestone Classic," Stuyven said.

Pedersen, clearly in great form with podiums in Paris-Nice, Etoile de Besseges, and GP La Marseillaise, was going to skip Milan-San Remo in order to peak form for Paris-Roubaix, which is a week later this season due to the French election. He was planning to skip Milano-Sanremo. Instead, he will make his debut in this race.

"As I said many times in interviews last week, I wasn't planning to compete in Milano-San Remo, but plans can change," Pedersen said.

"It's a late change, but I'm motivated and in good shape. Of course it's very disappointing that Jasper won't get a chance to defend his title, but we will do our best to make it two years in a row for the team."