Tom Boonen still has the desire to race in 2017

Tom Boonen (Etixx-Quick Step) is planning to race in 2017 and dismissed rumours that he would retire when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The 35-year-old came within a whisker of winning his fifth Paris-Roubaix title on April 10, finishing second to an inspired Mathew Hayman (Orica-GreenEdge).

And Boonen told Belgian television station Sporza that he isn't set to hang up his wheels, preferring another shot at creating history at the 2017 cobbled Classics.

"I would like to have another spring," Boonen told Sporza's Extra Time programme. "If I had won Paris-Roubaix I wouldn't have immediately stopped racing. My desire and enthusiasm still too big."

Tom Boonen speaks about making history at the cobbled Classics

With his contract with Etixx set to expire at the end of the season, Boonen wasn't sure where he would be racing next year, but did have an idea of who could replace him at the Belgian team.

When asked whether his fellow guest on Extra Time, Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), would be a good successor, Boonen said the Belgian would be "ideal".

But Van Avermaet showed some loyalty to his current employers: "My preference is remain with BMC. But Boonen should come to BMC to to pull me over the Oude Kwaremont!"