A quadricep injury will keep Team BMC Racing's former world champion Cadel Evans from participating in Sunday's Amstel Gold Race 2011. But Evans says his recovery is going well and he remains on track to focus on winning the Tour de France 2011.

Evans hurt his right knee when he crashed while riding near his Swiss home on March 31.

Team BMC Racing doctor Max Testa said an MRI scan performed on Monday revealed there is a still a small bruise on the right knee bone. "From a medical standpoint, he's out of competition for at least the next five days," Testa commented and added "Keeping him out longer will help the ultimate injury outcome and also give him time to get training to return on the top end."

Evans is disappointed not to be able to take part in the Ardennes classics and help his loyal teammates obtain great success in the races. "Normally, I thought I'd be back by now, but I had a check-up with Testa on Tuesday and the injury has proven to be more of an obstacle than we first thought," Evans told Roadcycling.com and our mobile sister site Roadcycling.mobi.

"I had wanted to be a helper for Greg Van Avermaet at Amstel Gold Race and on a good level for Flèche Wallonne. But this won't be a long-term problem, especially for my preparation for the Tour de France. It's just a little hiccup along the way," Evans concluded.