Tom Boonen caught the flu over the weekend, but recovered just in time for Tirreno-Adriatico. The Belgian was able to start today's team time trial with his Quick Step teammates. The squad has already amassed bad luck in Paris-Nice, with Gert Steegmans and Nikolas Maes abandoning today.
Boonen caught the flu and was resting at home over the weekend. "I was seriously sick the last few days," he told the Gazet van Antwerpen. "Sunday I suddenly had the flu. I had a fever of 39 degrees celsius and problems with my digestive system."
He recovered in the nick of time. "Luckily the fever was down on Monday evening, so I was able to travel to Italy on Tuesday." On Sunday it was so serious that he didn't think he would make the Tirreno race.
In the end, he was able to start it and was thankful for the layout of the race. "I didn't mind that we started with a team time trial here," he said. "[My teammates] didn't have to wait for me, but I am not well rested, either." Boonen will see on Thursday how things develop. "I want to get the first road stage over with ok."
Despite the small setback, Boonen is not worried at all about the upcoming Classics. "There is still time until then," he said.