Tom Boonen already has two season wins under his belt, which gives him confidence ahead of the opening weekend of the classics season. Boonen is right on target for the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne on Sunday.
Asked if he could win the Omloop, where his best result had been a second place in 2005, Boonen was clear. "Why not?" he said according to belga news agency. "The form is optimal for it. The races in Qatar and Oman proved that." Boonen won one stage each in the exotic stage races.
His whole winter preparation has gone well. "I am feeling better now than ever before at a season start . In comparison with the Tour of California, the preparation in the Middle East, with less time difference, has been better for my body."
Boonen wasn't only thinking about himself, though. "For the team it was better as well and they proved that they are ready to start the season at home." The Quick Step squad was an integral part in leading out Boonen for his early wins.
Last year the Belgian team brought Frenchman Sylvain Chavanel on board. He was an integral part of the team's results in 2009 and, with a year under his belt on the number one formation for the classics, he'll also be a man to watch during the Spring.
Boonen is happy there are two chances coming up. In 2008, Quick Step had a disastrous Omloop with Wouter Weylandt the best-placed rider, over four and half a minutes back. But the next day, Quick Step dominated Kuurne. "If we can't get a result in the Omloop, there is always our home competition in Kuurne."
Boonen is the defending champion in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. He also won the race in 2007.