Boom: Dutch cyclist of the year

Lars Boom was announced the Dutch cyclist of the year in Den Bosch on Monday evening. The surprise choice for the award was decided after Boom claimed the most votes by readers of the Dutch cycling magazine Wieler Magazine as well as nominations by the retired riders club, Club 48.

The 21 year old Rabobank rider had an outstanding season. He became the Elite cyclo-cross champion early in the year and followed that up by winning the under 23 cyclo-cross World title. After a successful season in the under 23 ranks on the road, he also took his tally of world titles for the year to two, when he won the under 23 time trial World Championships.

The recent winner of the Dutch round of the cyclo-cross World Cup in Pijnacker, Boom beat riders the calibre of Thomas Dekker (Rabobank), Stef Clement (Bouygues Telecom), track star Theo Bos and the now retired Michael Boogard (Rabobank).

"I am really happy with this," Boom said in a reaction. "It is my best year so far. For now, cyclo-cross will remain number one for me. Definitely until the 2009 world championships in Hoogerheide."