On the 234.6km course in Aywaille, Belgium Quick-Step’s Tom Boonen took his first Belgian road championship title. The big sprinter bested Philippe Gilbert (Silence-Lotto) and Kristof Goddaert (Top Sport Vlaanderen-Mercator) out of a 15-man group.
The Quick-Step team worked well together with Dries Devenyns, Kevin De Weert and Kevin Seeldraeyers softening up the race, while the rest of the squad protected Boonen. In the final it was Maarten Wynants and Jurgen Van De Walle that paved the way for their leader to sprint to victory.
“I’m super happy,” said Boonen after the finish. “In the last races, starting from the Tour du Dauphine and from then on to the Elektroer, I felt like I was really improving. I could feel the signs. In the last days leading up to the Belgian Championships I trained a lot and I trained really well. Today I wasn’t among the top favourites, and I knew that in order to win a race like this one I had to be having a great day and not make any mistakes. I did it! Now I’m feeling in top form. I’d like to thank the team once again. My team mates were fantastic. Everyone was motivated and united. It was really beautiful.”
On Tuesday Boonen the final decision on whether he can ride this year’s Tour de France will be sent to his lawyers.