Boom back on the bike, but not in Koksijde

Lars Boom will miss this weekend's round of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup in Koksijde and the Superprestige race in Gieten, his team announced Wednesday. The reigning 'cross world champion has recovered from fever caused by a urinary tract infection and has resumed training, but will not make his return to competition until December.

Boom will head south for warmer weather to a previously-planned training camp in the Canary Islands. He isn't the only 'cross racer who has sought to escape the brutally cold November in Northern Europe. Sven Nys and Sven Vanthourenhout headed to Mallorca for two weeks of training which will only be interrupted by a quick trip back North for the Koksijde World Cup.