BOONEN BREAKS BIG TOE

Belgian sprint star Tom Boonen has been temporarily side-lined from competition having fractured his right big toe in a training accident near his home in Mol, Belgium.

According to his QuickStep team, Boonen was approaching a cross-roads on Wednesday when he had to swerve sharply to avoid hitting a car. He mounted the pavement and struck his right leg against a sign post, grazing his leg and breaking his toe.

Under medical advice, Boonen will now take several days' rest before resuming his training schedule. He was due to race at the Tour of Catalonia (May 21-27), but will now miss the event. British race fans will now have to wait for the showdown between Boonen and Mark Cavendish, the young Manxman who recently scored two stage wins at the Four Days of Dunkirk and who makes his ProTour debut for T-Mobile at Catalonia.

Boonen's injury should not affect his participation in this year's Tour de France, his next major objective.