The Wanty-Gobert cycling team have pulled out of the Three Days of De Panne, which is due to start on Tuesday, after the death of their rider Antoine Demoitie.

The 25-year-old Belgian died after being struck by a motorbike following a fall during the Gent-Wevelgem race on Sunday.

"We have total understanding for the decision of the team not to take part," UCI commissioner Guy Dobbelaere told the Belga news agency.

Wanty sporting director Hilaire Van der Schueren said they had made the decision after meeting Demoitie's family.

Demoitie fell 150km into the Belgian one-day cobbled classic race, and died overnight at a hospital in Lille.

Source: AFP