BOONEN "CAN HANDLE THE PRESSURE"
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Come this Sunday Belgian star Tom Boonen has not won a race for 47 days. But Quick Step team manager Patrick Lefevre insists he?s not under more pressure as a result.
?Just because he hasn?t won a big race yet in 2008 doesn?t mean he?s under more pressure.? Lefevre told Cycling Weekly.
?The media?s insistence that he always wins is always there whatever he does.
In 2007, Tom had 11 wins and took the points jersey in the Tour. But that still wasn?t enough for the local sports media. I think it wouldn?t have been enough if he?d won Flanders, Ghent-Wevelgem and Paris-Roubaix.?
?Tom, Ballan, Cancellara, Hoste and Filippo Pozzato are the top contenders for Flanders.? Lefevre says.
He believes that the rain or snow forecast for Sunday could push Boonen back into contention.
?Us Belgians are more used to racing in that bad weather. It may help us against the Italians.?
As for the absence of Bettini in Quick Step, ?His absence is regrettable, but it?ll maybe create more of a all-for-one, one-for-all structure in the team.? Lefevre says. "That could be good in the finale."
Weather update:- At 7 am on Sunday morning in central Flanders, the skies were
blue and there was barely a cloud to be seen. Bad weather is forecast for later in the day, though...
RELATED LINKS
Tour of Flanders preview: Will it be Cancellara or will Boonen come good?
Ballan ready for second Tour of Flanders win
Cycle Sport May 2008: Exclusive Bettini interview and much more...
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
-
Campagnolo's redesigned Hyperon wheels promise you the 'magic ratio of performance'
The Italian climbing hoops return as a disc-brake all-rounder that at a little over 1,200g are still plenty light
By Luke Friend • Published
-
Nebraska to host the inaugural USA Cycling Gravel National Championship
A stars and stripes jersey is up for grabs alongside the largest gravel prize purse in American cycling history and entry into Gravel Worlds
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published