Boonen 'preparing differently' for the Tour

Former world champion Tom Boonen needs some stage victories at the Tour de France to regain his status as the peloton's star sprinter. Just like last year, Boonen will try to cross Belgium with the yellow jersey on his shoulders, but hopes to bag some stage wins, something he was unable to manage in the 2006 edition.

"His preparation for the Tour this year has been completely different to that of last year," explained team manager Patrick Lefévère to aso.fr. "First of all he was under less pressure during the spring, which made that period less tiring for him. Last year he was in great shape for the Tour of Switzerland but was already quite worn out at the beginning of the Tour de France.

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