Boonen to the Worlds

Tom Boonen wants to ride the World Championships in Stuttgart this year and he will use the Vuelta a España as preparation.

"I want to prepare myself one hundred percent for the Worlds," he said, according to hln.be. "I have seen photos and graphics of the course ... The finish is difficult. If you come to the finish with Bettini or Di Luca, you have less chance to win, but who all will be there? That is another question."

The Belgian sprinter did not finish the final stage of the Dauphiné Libéré. "I am very content with this past week, even if I didn't win." Despite everything, he called it "a relaxing environment," and added, "I'm glad I did not choose to go to Switzerland."

Boonen returned to Belgium Sunday evening to undergo conditioning tests and then returned to his home in Monaco on Wednesday. He noted that he will be in southern France "for a week of recuperation. Then I will go the Belgian championships in Ronse."