Feels stronger team should take some pressure off Belgian
While the past two seasons have been sparse ones, mostly due to injury, Tom Boonen can yet return to the top level in 2012. That’s the view of his Omega Pharma Quick Step manager Patrick Lefevere, who has worked with the rider since 2003.
“2012 is a crucial year for him,” the Belgian told Het Nieuwsblad. “He has had two years of physical problems, but he still has the ability of an athlete. In addition, he reads races tremendously well.”
Boonen showed his ability early on, netting third in Paris-Roubaix at just 21 years of age. He confirmed that ability with a stunning 2004 season, netting seventeen wins including Gent-Wevelgem and two Tour de France stages, and then followed that up with two more Tour de France stages, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders plus the world road race title in 2005.
Those results earned comparisons with Eddy Merckx, but the progression hasn’t continued since. He’s still taken a number of strong results over the past six seasons, including two more Tour stage wins plus the green jersey, the 2006 Tour of Flanders and two additional Paris-Roubaix titles plus wins in other one-day events. However he doesn’t show anything like the dominance of before.
Boonen turned 31 in October and should have several more years ahead of him; there’s a feeling that 2012 is indeed a crucial one, though, as he needs to start clocking up victories again if he is to regain the confidence and mentality of a champion.
Lefevere recognises that the Belgian was under pressure in recent years as much of the team’s success depended on him. He didn’t behave as he should have, as his positive tests for cocaine showed. The squad has been considerably fortified now, though, and Boonen is just one of several strong riders.
“There is a new wind blowing in the team,” the experienced manager points out. “He knows that it is not just about Tom Boonen. We also now have Tony Martin, Levi Leipheimer and a reborn Sylvain Chavanel. The latter is an excellent lightning rod.”
That should take the pressure off him, and Lefevere will hope that this plus an injury-free year will be the ideal platform for his rider to return to success.
“If Boonen is prepared to put in the effort that a top-level athlete should deliver, then I’m convinced that he can still do it,” he states with conviction.
Omega Pharma Quick Step directeur sportif Wilfried Peeters said in November that a change in race programme was being considered. “The Tour de San Luis is indeed an option” he told Sporza then. “But there is no decision yet. We must look at it quietly with the riders and the sponsors.”
If Boonen opts for the Argentinean stage race, the early start to the season could give him a good way to build form prior to what will be a crucial Classics campaign for him. He needs to shake things up in 2012, and that might be a good way to start.