Lars Boom has won his cross race in Luxembourg last week. On Sunday, he participates in the Druivencross in Overijse, Belgium. Boom has been Dutch and World Champion in cyclocross as a junior, in the U23 category and in the elite ranks. Despite that he sees cyclocross just as a preparation for his road season with the Dutch Rabobank team.
He will have a very limited program that culminates in the Dutch Nationals on January 9. "But that's it, even if the results are good," he said according to Sporza. "After the Dutch Nationals I will go to the training camp in Spain with Rabobank."
Boom made clear that he isn't in it for the glory of winning in what once used to be his absolute specialty. "I do cross as it is an outstanding way to prepare the road season," Boom said. He especially dismisses any ideas of riding the Worlds end of January in St Wendel, Germany. "There is no temptation, I am putting my money entirely on the road."
That doesn't mean he lost his appreciation for the sport. "I still like to do cross races, this was always part of me [in the winter -ed.]. Sitting on the cross bike makes you more technical and you can bring that forward to the road."
Boom is uncompromising in his true desire. "In the road team, I really found a good group. It is nice to be a part of that." The big difference is that cyclocross is entirely self-focused on winning. "On the road you try to win yourself or you try to set up a teammate for the win."
Boom rates his chances high to repeat his Dutch title from last year. "I am better than I ever was last season. I became Dutch Champion, but it was really close."
He has been training off-road for a month now, a difference to last year. "In 2009, I only trained on the road in November and December. Now I feel more comfortable on the bike and it is going well."
Boom is realistic that Sunday's race will be much more competitive than when he obtained his win in Luxembourg last week. "I don't know where I stand. Overijse is a really tough race. It is no problem if I will end in tenth or 15th place."
Groenendaal critical of Boom's remarks
Richard Groenendaal, the cross world champion of 2000, was very critical of Boom's remarks, saying they could hurt the sport. "I think it is great that Lars participates," he told Het Nieuwsblad. "But that he describes it as merely an intermediate training is bad for the sport."
Groenendaal would rather like to see the cross peloton made up by people in it with their heart. "Then I prefer a full time crosser rather than someone like Boom." Groenendaal sees that there is a lot of hype about Boom, given that he mostly races lesser-known races. "In most competitions that he rides there is -with all due respect to the organizers - little to win."
Groenendaal is also the manager of the Rabobank-Giant Offroad team.