Boonen already planning for next season

Tom Boonen, who finished his season with a ninth place in the world championships road race, will probably not change things much next year. The Belgian, who typically races for eight months of the year, indicated to Sportwereld that he could include the Amstel Gold Race on his program. "Thereby my pre-season would be lengthened by a season," he said. His favourite cobbled classics will remain the highlights, of course, as well as the Tour de France.

The world championship road race in Stuttgart is an unknown at the moment, as national coach Carlo Bomans believes the course is a lot harder than Salzburg. "Something for riders who suit Fleche Wallonne," he said. "For Tom, it will be a tough job."