Dutch National cyclo cross champion Lars Boom wants to defend his title on January 10 in Heerlen. The race in Sint-Michielsgestel on January 3 should warm him up for that.
Boom, riding for Rabobank, is focusing his efforts on the road again for next year. He eyes the Classics, such as the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix. "But I am also enough lover for cross races, so that I will ride a few this season," he told De Telegraaf.
Boom has won a national title every year since 2001. He spread them evenly across the categories he was racing in: First three junior titles, then three U23 and three elite titles.
Boom has many offers to ride the cross season, but it is currently interfering too much with his road program. This didn't stop him to enter the Rabo Beach Challenge in Scheveningen.
Boom finished fifth, one place ahead of Michael Boogerd. The race was won by strand specialist Ramses Bekkenk. He won ahead of Scheveningen's mountain bikers Sander Lormanns and Tom Hartkamp.