Setback ahead of opening weekend: Jasper Stuyven withdraws from Algarve due to illness

Jasper Stuyven will not start in the fourth stage of the Volta ao Algarve. The Soudal Quick-Step rider is suffering from illness and has to withdraw from the stage race. This is a significant setback for Stuyven ahead of the opening weekend scheduled exactly one week from now.

"Due to illness, Jasper Stuyven will not start in the fourth stage of the Volta ao Algarve. The Wolfpack wishes him a speedy recovery," his team announced on social media. Stuyven rode his first race kilometers of the season in the Portuguese stage race. It is still unclear whether the Belgian’s opening weekend plans are affected.

Stuyven was expected to compete in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, which he won in 2020, and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, where he finished first in 2016. The classics specialist rides for Soudal Quick-Step this year after many many years for Lidl-Trek and its predecessors.

🤒 | Medical update - @Jasperstuyven #TheWolfpack pic.twitter.com/TsgDVSnY6y

— Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (@soudalquickstep) February 21, 2026