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Verbrugghe replaces Steels in Belgian cycling squad

SI At The Olympics • Grant Wahl: Women's Soccer -- One-on-One with April Heinrichs • Brian Cazeneuve: Pinning away • Tim Layden: U.S. track coach faces tough call • Leigh Montville: A movable feast More Features • Viewers' Guide: What to watch for • Quiz: Today's Tester • Closer Look: Michael Lewis -- U.S. soccer team uses its heads Multimedia • Photo Gallery: Athletes arrive • Photo Gallery: Let the games begin • Multimedia Central: Photo Galleries, Audio and More

BRUSSELS, Aug 27 (AFP) - Lotto Rik rider Rik Verbrugghe is to replace the sick Tom Steels in the Belgian Olympic road race cycling squad, it emerged Sunday.

The experienced Steels has a viral infection and announced last week he would not be competing.

The Belgians are facing a haemorrhaging of talent ahead of the Games with Frank Vandenbroucke in poor form, Johan Museeuw seriously injured in a motorcycling accident and Andrei Tchmil concentrating on the world championships in Plouay, France.

The loss of that trio and now Steels has forced national coach Jose De Cauwer to pin his faith on national champion Axel Merckx (Mapei), Peter van Petegem (Farm Frites), Marc Wauters (Rabobank), Nico Mattan (Cofidis) and now Verbrugghe.

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