Having competed in both the Tour of Qatar and the Tour of Oman, Tom Boonen has clocked up over ten days racing thus far and feels that his form is improving well. He fought it out for the sprints in the first of those two races, winning stage one and netting third on stage four, then played a quieter game in Oman.
That was partly due to a crash at the end of the stage race in Qatar, and also because he doesn’t want to go too deep, too often, too early at this point of the season.
While his Classics rival Fabian Cancellara will rest and miss out next weekend’s Belgian semi-Classics Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, Boonen is expected to ride both and said that he would like to be a factor in the result.
“The opening weekend has never been my priority, but usually I’m okay,” he told Sporza. “I cannot complain about the winter and I’m at my expected level. Next weekend I want to play a significant role.” However he’s clear about when he first wants to hit top form this season. “A Classic win will be my primary target.”
Cancellara won both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix last year, and should be one of Boonen’s clear rivals. However the Belgian underlines that there will be more of them. “I expect the same names in front. Those who have already made an impression? Nobody talks about Pozzato, but he is racing strongly. And Hausser has already shown that he is totally ready for it.”
Fully motivated once again?
According to Quick Step manager Patrick Lefevere, the fact that the Belgian missed a chunk of last season means that he is fired up to do something big in 2011. He won the worlds in 2005 and has taken several Classics since then, but also has had periods of time where he hasn’t performed at his best level. A well published problem with cocaine a couple of seasons ago was another sign that he wasn’t fully focussed on an athletic life.
Now 30, there are signs that he is knuckling down fully. Lefevere believes that the period of time away from competition has made Boonen appreciate what he has and how he should make the most of his ability. “Tom did not race for four months last season, so he’s very eager,” he explained. “He has had much time to think and to realise that it’s actually a very nice job.”
One race that he would like to add to his palmares is Milan-San Remo. He’s gone close in the past, netting third in 2007 and finishing as runner-up last year, and really wants to stand on top of the podium. “In 2007 I missed my chance to win La Primavera, staying behind Petacchi, who had no legs,” he explained. “Last year I finished second but I could not do better…Oscar Freire was untouchable. I still have to climb a step.”
The northern Classics will follow, namely those targets in Flanders and Roubaix. After that, there will be two very big goals. The first of those is the Tour de France. “I want to do it another two or three times and if I win a stage this year, it will be great,” he said. “I’m not really a sprinter, there are young people like Cavendish who have changed all that. However I am very motivated for the world championship in Copenhagen in late September.”
He won the worlds five and a half years ago and would like to wear the rainbow jersey again before the end of his career. Most years the worlds is a little too tough for a pure sprinter, but this season the course in Copenhagen is flat and fast, and should be conducive to a massive gallop.
Even so, he’s taking nothing for granted. “There is a big difference between a stage of the Tour de France and a world championship, which runs over 260 kilometres,” he said, talking about the chances of a sprinter taking gold. “After such a long race, we are less likely to be able to win.”
That may be the case, but he’ll also be aware that this could be his final opportunity to take the gold medal. He’ll aim to have a strong season, and also to be in his best possible condition next autumn for the worlds.