The fight for the signature of one of cycling's biggest talents sure to heat up as year progresses
Tom Boonen is certainly doing his best at the moment to forget about a Spring Classics best forgotten. Even with a second straight spring campaign that left much to be desired in terms of Monument wins, Boonen is now the topic of much discussion, as his contract with Quick-Step runs out at the end of 2011.
Speaking with Het Laatste Nieuws today, Boonen's agent, Paul De Geyter coyly notes: "Interest in Boonen is certainly not lacking."
"Several teams have already come knocking. The first deals were even mentioned earlier this spring, but they've well and truly begun now."
Despite winning at Gent-Wevelgem, the two-time Flanders and three-time Roubaix champion came up empty for the second year in a row in the two races that count the most. Of course, Boonen can hardly be faulted for the obscene amounts of bad luck that befell him on Sunday en route to Roubaix, but the fact still stands - he's 0 for 4 at Flanders and Roubaix over the past two seasons.
It doesn't seem to be affecting his market value one bit though, nor should it. The 2005 World Champion is about as proven of a commodity in the one day classics as you can get next to Fabian Cancellara.
De Geyter admits that a big win wouldn't have hurt though.
"A great victory certainly would have strengthened him at the negotiating table, but Tom Boonen has a market value as one of the riders who does not have to prove himself every time."
Ahead of the Classics, Boonen's current and long-time employer, Patrick Lefevere, voiced his hope and opinion that this superstar Belgian captain would return to his ranks in 2012 and beyond.
"Two days before Milano-Sanremo, I sat down with Tom," said Lefevere to Sporza at the end of March. "It was a good conversation. He's really not of the mind to change teams."
Staying with Quick-Step is a possibility that De Geyter is quick not to rule out.
"As with other teams, we also are in talks with Patrick Lefevere. We'll see how it evolves, because there is often a wide gap between showing interest and signing a contract."
There is talk already that Tom Boonen is washed up and done for. It seems a bit overeager to write off the Belgian super talent already. A couple of quiet years do not make for a rider ready for retirement.
One has to wonder if a change in teams might be just what Tom Boonen needs to reignite his career and resume his spot as the preeminent classics rider in the world.
There has to be hope in that - if a manager like Bjarne Riis can help resurrect the career of Nick Nuyens, why can't a like-minded one, or even Riis himself, do the same for a rider with absurd amounts of natural ability like Tom Boonen?
And if that were to happen, one has to wonder - what will become of Quick-Step?
You can be sure that Quick-Step will fight hard to keep hold of its major star.