Boonen sees slim chances in Worlds

Tom Boonen hasn't actually seen the course in Stuttgart for the upcoming World Championships, but he doesn't believe he has much chance of winning his second title there.

"This World Championships is too difficult for me to be able to ride in the finale," he told Sportwereld.be. "Over the total distance you have an altitude difference of 5700 metres. That is 3000 metres more in climbs than last year."

"A lot depends on just where the finish is," he continued. "It can be difficult, but in Stuttgart, after 260 kilometres you can still have 2.5-kilometre uphill, with some places up to six percent. I wouldn't have a chance there against such riders as Di Luca, Freire or Valverde. But I will still ride there, 100 percent motivated."