Tom Boonen left with permanent hearing damage after Abu Dhabi crash
Etixx-Quick Step's Tom Boonen is well ahead of his recovery schedule after his Abu Dhabi crash, but the Belgian has suffered permanent hearing damage
Tom Boonen has all but recovered from the injuries suffered in a crash at the Abu Dhabi Tour, but the Belgian says his hearing has been damaged permanently.
The Etixx-Quick Step rider went down on stage two of the race in October and was forced to stay in the Middle East well after his teammates went home, with doctors concerned that flying would trigger blood clots after his head trauma.
Apart from his hearing, 35-year-old Boonen says he's on track to return in time for the new season, with initial fears that he would be out for six months and miss most of the Classics season.
"I lost part of my hearing and it is permanent. That is anoying but you get used to it," Boonen told Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad on Tuesday.
"They had told me [the recovery time would be] six months, we are now two months on and I'm training well. I've never even had any bother, just my ear,"
In 2016, Boonen will be looking to win a record-breaking fifth Paris-Roubaix title as well as a fourth Tour of Flanders. He missed the Classics season in 2015 after damaging his shoulder in a crash at Paris-Nice in early March.
Boonen hasn't given any indication of when he will retire, but in his interview with Het Nieuwsblad, the Belgian indicated that he will move into motorsport when he ends his career on two wheels.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"It is 100 per cent certain that after my cycling career is over I'll be in motorsport," said Boonen. "There are quite a few championships in Belgium where you can have fun as an amateur. The ultimate goal is the 24 hours of Zolder, close to home, family and friends."
Thank you for reading 20 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
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
I'm about to turn 40 - how can I keep riding fast?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
By Charlie Graham-Dixon Published
-
Life Time Grand Prix to have fewer riders and wild cards in 2025
The flagship US gravel series has confirmed the six races that will be a part of the competition next year
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Boonen considers a return to racing: 'I'm considering looking for some competition on the bike again'
After a nearly six-year break from professional cycling, the competitive cycling itch is starting to prickle again for Classics legend Tom Boonen.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl release 2022 kit from new partners Castelli
The Italian clothing brand will make the Belgian team's kit until at least 2024
By Adam Becket Published
-
Patrick Lefevere says Vuelta a España suits Evenepoel but doesn't want him given favourite status
The young Belgian abandoned the Giro d'Italia in 2021 after 18 stages
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Mauri Vansevenant and Rémi Cavagna recovering after car hit them at training camp
The French road race champion suffered a fractured L1 vertebrae with the Belgian breaking his thumb
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
'He turned pro too early': Eddy Merckx just can't stop commenting on Evenepoel
The cycling legend has happily voiced his opinion on the young Belgian multiple times during the rider's short career
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
WATCH: Emotional behind the scenes footage of Mark Cavendish's first stage win at the 2021 Tour de France
His reaction to victory on stage four is a part of a docuseries created by Deceuninck - Quick-Step
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
Mark Cavendish signs one-year contract extension with Deceuninck - Quick-Step
The Manxman has finally put pen to paper on a new deal that keeps him at the Belgian team until the end of 2022
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
Deceuninck CEO states women's cycling is a factor in Alpecin-Fenix switch: 'We discussed that at Quick-Step, but Patrick is Patrick'
The Belgian company leaves Quick-Step at the end of 2021, after three seasons with the team
By Ryan Dabbs Published