Tom Boonen
Nationality: Belgian
Date of birth: October 15, 1980
Height: 192cm
Weight: 82kg
Team: Etixx-QuickStep
Now in the twilight of his glittering career, Tom Boonen is one of the most successful riders of his generation.
Three Tour of Flanders titles and four in Paris-Roubaix, one more in either race would place the Belgian as the greatest cobbled Classics rider in history, surpassing the likes of Roger de Vlaeminck, Johan Museeuw and his contemporary, Fabian Cancellara.
Not only has Tornado Tom shined on the harsh roads of northern France and Flanders, but he sits on a palmarès that boasts a World Championship road race crown in 2005 as well as six Tour de France stage wins and a green jersey in 2007.
While his future last year seemed uncertain, Boonen extended his stay at home team Etixx-QuickStep by a year to the end of 2016, and has now ridden with the squad in its various incarnations since 2003.
Crashes in Paris-Nice and the Abu Dhabi Tour left a sour mark on the 35-year-old's 2015 season, with Boonen certain to be looking to score one last big win in Flanders or Roubaix before he calls it a day.
Latest
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Tom Boonen: 'Remco Evenepoel should get away from Belgium as much as possible'
The former Quick-Step rider said he didn't enjoy the fame of being world champion
By Tom Davidson Last updated
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From the cobbles to the race track: Tom Boonen is living his best life
Classic legend Tom Boonen on race car driving, Mathieu van der Poel and modern cycling
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
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Tom Boonen undergoes surgery for shoulder dislocation
Tom Boonen has successful surgery to rectify his acromioclavicular joint dislocation; no time set for his recovery
By Nigel Wynn Published
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'I've had to prove I could do it my entire career, but with Olympic gold there is recognition'
Greg Van Avermaet hopes his Olympic Games gold medal will allow him to take a free role at the World Championships in October
By Stuart Clarke Published
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Tom Boonen's custom Het Nieuwsblad bike: 'there's no danger in discs'
Tom Boonen unveils his custom Specialized Venge ahead of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, and dismisses claims that disc brakes are dangerous
By Owen Rogers Published
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Tom Boonen happy despite 'chaotic' Tour of Qatar start
Four-time Tour of Qatar champion Tom Boonen pleased with his second place on stage one despite 'very chaotic' finish
By Nigel Wynn Published
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Tom Boonen: 'I'm not emotional, but I think that's going to be different come Flanders'
Tom Boonen says he's trying to stay focused on racing until his career culminates at next week's Paris-Roubaix
By Gregor Brown Published
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Chaos, crashes and flat tyres: Tom Boonen recaps a 'standard' Paris-Roubaix
Tom Boonen says Mathew Hayman deserved his win at Paris-Roubaix on his 16th attempt, even though it denied the Belgian a place in the record books
By Stuart Clarke Published
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Etixx boss calls rivals 'cowards' after disappointing E3 Harelbeke
Patrick Lefevere and star rider Tom Boonen criticise other teams for failing to respond to attack from Peter Sagan and eventual winner Michal Kwiatkowski
By Gregor Brown Published