Tom Boonen crashes out of the Tour of Flanders
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) abandoned an attempt to win a record fourth Tour of Flanders this morning due to a crash.
The Belgian champion hit the deck only 19 kilometres into the race, struggled to get going again and stepped into an ambulance.
According to early reports, he crashed alone, landed on his hip and shoulder. He has a bruise on his left hip, a wound on his left elbow and on his right knee. An x-ray showed that Boonen had suffered no fractures.
Boonen looked poised to add to his three victories after a rocky off-season. He spent days in the hospital for an intestinal problem and an elbow infection.
Instead of racing the Tour of Qatar as part of his normal season preparations, Boonen was forced to delay his start until the Tour of Oman, February 11 to 16.
He appeared strong in the E3 Harelbeke, launching an attack on the Taaienberg, and in the Three Days of De Panne, pulling for Mark Cavendish. In the Ghent-Wevelgem last Sunday, however, he crashed and banged his knee.
"Panic is the worst thing, why should you panic?" Boonen said on Friday in a press conference. "You have to build your condition step by step; it's not possible to speed it up. You can't go from zero to 100 per cent in two weeks. In January, it all looked well, then in a week, it changed again."
Paris-Roubaix in doubt
Boonen crashed near Bruges in Gits at 19 kilometres into the race, still with 237.1 kilometres to race. According to Het Nieuwsblad's website, he landed on his hip, struggled to re-start and stepped an ambulance. He was taken to the hospital in Torhout, south of Bruges.
The crash comes at the worst time for Boonen, who was attempting to become the first four-time winner of his home race.
It also puts Paris-Roubaix in doubt next Sunday. Boonen won Paris-Roubaix last year and in 2009, 2008 and 2005. If he lines up, he will be racing for a record fifth win.
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.
-
-
20 year-old sprints to clean sweep at British Track Champs
Emma Finucane wins two titles on the closing day of the championships
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Marius Mayrhofer pulls off surprise win at Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
DSM rider breaks down with emotion after he crosses the finish line
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
Biniam Girmay eyes Tour of Flanders and Tour de France success in 2023
After becoming first African rider to win Gent-Wevelgem, Girmay plans to take aim at the Tour of Flanders and other monuments next year
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Tour of Flanders Espoirs cancelled indefinitely
The race's date, location and lack of young riders are all factors in the organiser's decision
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
No fans at Tour of Flanders and other Classics in 2021, according to organisers
There will be no fans at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Ghent-Wevelgem, Dwars Door Vlaanderen, Scheldeprijs or Brabantse Pijl in 2021
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
How watching 25 years of Tour of Flanders footage is helping scientists study climate change
It might sound like an excuse to watch some bike racing, but scientists are using footage of the Tour of Flanders to help them study climate change.
By Henry Robertshaw • Published
-
Peter Sagan: 'If the other riders don't wake up, it's going to be like this'
"It's not just me that they need to beat" Peter Sagan said of his rivals after Quick-Step Floors dominated the Tour of Flanders
By Gregor Brown • Published
-
Five things we learned from the 2018 Tour of Flanders
We take a look at the main talking points from the 2018 edition of the Tour of Flanders
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
Niki Terpstra leaves rivals reeling with amazing Tour of Flanders solo win
Dutchman Niki Terpstra adds a Tour of Flanders victory to his 2018 E3 Harelbeke win and 2014 Paris-Roubaix title after a trademark long-range solo attack
By Nigel Wynn • Published
-
Luke Rowe disqualified from Tour of Flanders: 'I'm just gutted'
Team Sky Welshman Luke Rowe reportedly rode onto bike path in among spectators during the Tour of Flanders
By Nigel Wynn • Published