Boonen and Nuyens lead Quick.Step at Het Volk

"This will be an important weekend," Quick.Step's Tom Boonen said of this Saturday's Omloop Het Volk. Boonen finished second last year behind his teammate Nick Nuyens. "I'm really looking forward to it and can't wait to be on the starting line. Our team is really good and we've got lots of very capable riders. The most important thing for me is that one of us is able to win even though there are five or six other 'big names' in good condition. I'm referring to Van Petegem or McEwen, who have both proven to be in excellent form.

"[Nick] Nuyens told me that the route has been changed, during the final there will be long straight sections. Most probably the race will be decided in the final sprint - we'll soon see. We've got lots of alternatives with Nick and the other team members. I'm in good form. On Monday and Tuesday, I trained in and around Monte Carlo for about five and a half hours each time. On Monday I also rode the last few kilometres of Milan-Sanremo, including the Cipressa and Poggio. It is always good re-riding this route."

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