Nationality: Belgian
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.
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'I didn't think the mechanics put a chain on my bike' - Magnus Bäckstedt on his Paris-Roubaix victory, 20 years later
Two decades have passed since the Swede won in Roubaix. He remembers it like it was yesterday
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Mathieu van der Poel wins record-equalling third Tour of Flanders with 45km attack
Dutchman pulls off audacious long-range coup to claim Monument victory
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Will Visma-Lease a Bike and SD Worx-Protime dominate Gent-Wevelgem again?
The ante-penultimate Classic before the Tour of Flanders always offers up exciting action
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‘I remember eating two pizzas and still being hungry’ - Elisa Longo Borghini on the ride that changed her
2022 Paris-Roubaix Femmes winner reflects back on her victory in the 2013 Trofeo Alfreda Binda
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Classified launches a new gravel team with Ridley, and three new wheelsets
The innovative Belgian drivetrain company is now behind Classified x Ridley Factory Team, and has released the R36, R50 and G42 wheels
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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This is the Quick-Step line-up that will try and help Tom Boonen to a final Paris-Roubaix victory
Boonen will be supported by 2014 Roubaix winner Niki Terpstra and 2015 runner-up Zdenek Stybar
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Mark Cavendish confirms race build-up to the Tour de France
The Manxman will take in the Tour de Suisse and British National Championships before heading to the Tour
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Quick-Step Floors dictating Spring Classics – a year after being dictated to
Quick-Step Floors have a multitude of riders to win the Spring Classics and they're making good on their promise to animate the races.
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Tom Boonen reaches deal with prosecutors in Belgian tax fraud case
Tom Boonen and eight other suspects pay their taxes and a fine in order to escape prosecution in a fraud case dating back to 2013
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'I realised Sky were more afraid of us': Tom Boonen explains Quick-Step's attack on the Muur
Tom Boonen says he expected Sky to go as hard as they could up the Muur, at the Tour of Flanders but realised there was an opportunity for his team after speaking to Luke Rowe
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Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana live TV coverage
Here's where to find all the live TV coverage of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana
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CS experts panel: Paris-Roubaix
Paris-Roubaix, the Queen of Classics, takes place on Sunday. Our team of writers explain the beauty of the race and make some predictions for the outcome.
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Peter Sagan: 'I will be very happy if Tom Boonen wins Paris-Roubaix again'
Peter Sagan has said that he'd be very happy to see Tom Boonen take a fifth Paris-Roubaix victory, when the Belgian rides his final edition in April.
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Team of the Week: Greg Van Avermaet, Tom Boonen, Lotta Lepistö and more
The best possible pro cycling team constructed using riders who have given the most impressive performances this past week
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Tom Boonen: 'Remco Evenepoel needs to learn to ride tactically at WorldTour level'
Tom Boonen has applauded rising Belgian star Remco Evenepoel for his world titles in Innsbruck this week, but says the junior cyclist "needs to learn to ride tactically at WorldTour level."
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Tom Boonen takes first victory of 2017 with Vuelta a San Juan stage
Quick-Step Floors continue winning run in Argentina with second stage victory; Elia Viviani assumes overall Vuelta a San Juan lead
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Can Tom Boonen win his final Paris-Roubaix?
As Tom Boonen prepares for his final race, Cycling Weekly talks to the man aiming to become the most successful Paris-Roubaix rider ever
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Tom Boonen pens new one-year contract with Etixx-Quick Step
Tom Boonen extends his association with the Quick Step team, signing for his 14th season with the Belgian outfit for 2016
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Tom Boonen still has the desire to race in 2017
Tom Boonen tells Sporza's Extra Time programme that he still has the desire and enthusiasm to race in 2017, but doesn't know whether it will be for Etixx-Quick Step
