Boonen injury free and with a better bike

[Parrulo]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/boonens-desire-to-make-sprint-impact

are really all his knee issues solved? last time he won P-R he was riding specialized so maybe it has some psychological effect on his as well but are merckx bikes bad? i even recall some posters saying they were the best bikes for roubaix, iirc it was veedeebee and some other poster

he also says he will try and win sprints again.

do you guys think we could see the return of tornado tom next season instead of the little windy day tom of last season?

 

[bobbins]

Aren't specializeds marketing dept going a great job already!

 

[Kvinto]

It seems he is fit, i saw his video-interview on British Eurosport yesterday. I find it interesting, especially about Tour of Qatar:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/video/13012012/58/boonen-team-changes-vital.html

 

[maltiv]

I think he'll be back at his usual level. I mean in 2010 he was perhaps better than ever but the problem was that Cancellara was utterly inhuman. If he got that form back I think he'll get a monument or perhaps the olympics.

 

[greenedge]

Lets' just hope he can go well. He does seem lean and last year he had good form for some of the Classics ( the ones he competed in ).

He seems motivated and maybe it is just physiological about Specialized.

 

[Swabian Lass]

He does seem motivated. I hope he's back to his old form, he' s always entertaining when he's on form. I'd like to see battle re-joined between him and Cancellara, but that may be too much to hope for this year. If Boonen is on form he's going to be areal contender at the Olympics.

 

[Froome19]

I think he'll be back at his usual level. I mean in 2010 he was perhaps better than ever but the problem was that Cancellara was utterly inhuman. If he got that form back I think he'll get a monument or perhaps the olympics.

Between Cancellara who I expect to win at least 1 (ronde) or Roubaix or MSR and Gilbert who will get either MSR or Ronde (or even cav for MSR) I doubt Boonen will get a top monument win and the olympics is a lottery which I think riders like goss have a better chance of winning.
Yet he definitely has the quality to win any one of these races and i think he will surely win a couple of mini classics (gent- wevelgem again?, omloop?) + quite a few stage wins in pt races

 

[Michielveedeebee]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/boonens-desire-to-make-sprint-impact

are really all his knee issues solved? last time he won P-R he was riding specialized so maybe it has some psychological effect on his as well but are merckx bikes bad? i even recall some posters saying they were the best bikes for roubaix, iirc it was veedeebee and some other poster

he also says he will try and win sprints again.

do you guys think we could see the return of tornado tom next season instead of the little windy day tom of last season?

I said no such thing I did say Grinta magazine put the EMX-7 as the stiffest bike they tested though

I would really like to see Tomke win a Monument again preferably MSR and a 3rd Ronde or 4th Roubaix and the Olympics.

 

[will10]

It seems he is fit, i saw his video-interview on British Eurosport yesterday. I find it interesting, especially about Tour of Qatar:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/video/13012012/58/boonen-team-changes-vital.html

Thanks for this.

In 2005 he was untouchable, 2006 again untouchable at Flanders, but people have short memories in cycling sometimes. 2010 Tom was perhaps as strong as 2005 but came up against superhuman Cancellara. Tom could definitely win RVV or Roubaix again this season.

 

[Parrulo]

I said no such thing I did say Grinta magazine put the EMX-7 as the stiffest bike they tested though

I would really like to see Tomke win a Monument again preferably MSR and a 3rd Ronde or 4th Roubaix and the Olympics.

oh sorry then

and ya i certainly wouldn't mind to watch him win all that

 

[markene2]

I cannot see a return of Tornado Tom. But i can see him winning MSR and a cobble classic.

 

[richwagmn]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/boonens-desire-to-make-sprint-impact

are really all his knee issues solved? last time he won P-R he was riding specialized so maybe it has some psychological effect on his as well but are merckx bikes bad? i even recall some posters saying they were the best bikes for roubaix, iirc it was veedeebee and some other poster

he also says he will try and win sprints again.

do you guys think we could see the return of tornado tom next season instead of the little windy day tom of last season?

I'd love to see it. One of my favorite riders for sure.

I think he has some classics wins in him yet though with Gilbert's rise it'll take a bit of luck on his part (like Gilbert not being there towards the end).

 

[Zoncolan]

If he is really committed and 100% healthy, I can see him being competitive at the classics. However, I can't see him winning bunch sprints against Cav.

 

[Parrulo]

If he is really committed and 100% healthy, I can see him being competitive at the classics. However, I can't see him winning bunch sprints against Cav.

well from what he says in the interview neither does he but cav isn't everywhere

 

[wirral]

So many nasty crashes. So many injuries. More than his contemporaries. I wonder how much punishment his joints, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bones, circulatory system can take. Surely it must have taken its toll over the years. I think Gent - Wevelgem could be his limit.

 

[Old School]

Thanks for this.

In 2005 he was untouchable, 2006 again untouchable at Flanders, but people have short memories in cycling sometimes. 2010 Tom was perhaps as strong as 2005 but came up against superhuman Cancellara. Tom could definitely win RVV or Roubaix again this season.

I totally agree. People's minds are VERY short when it comes to cycling. Injuries (and powdery stuff) kept him down for the last few seasons, BUT he could be back...he's still young.

I see some GREEEEAT sprint battles this year. Hang onto your hats, I'm excited.

Goss, Cav, Sagan, Greipel, Boonen, Renshaw, Gryzamchi (sp), Vettel, Benatti, JJ Haedo, Rojas, Farrar, Thor....PHEW! I love it!

 

[Swede1]

I think he will definitely win some cobbled races this year. If he gets back to 2010 form he will should one of MSR, Flanders, or Roubaix. Although if Canc is back on 2010 form then I feel sorry for Boonen.

 

[will10]

I totally agree. People's minds are VERY short when it comes to cycling. Injuries (and powdery stuff) kept him down for the last few seasons, BUT he could be back...he's still young.

I see some GREEEEAT sprint battles this year. Hang onto your hats, I'm excited.

Goss, Cav, Sagan, Greipel, Boonen, Renshaw, Gryzamchi (sp), Vettel, Benatti, JJ Haedo, Rojas, Farrar, Thor....PHEW! I love it!

I'm assuming by Vettel you mean Kittel?

And I have no idea who Gryzamchi is supposed to be - Petacchi? Galimzyanov??

 

[Astana1]

Who is this "Tom Boonen" you speak of?

 

[Kvinto]

I'm assuming by Vettel you mean Kittel?

And I have no idea who Gryzamchi is supposed to be - Petacchi? Galimzyanov??

yep, Vettel is cool, Mr. Sigmund Freud would highly appreciate such a mistake

 

[Netserk]

I have said it before, and I will say it again: Boonen is going to have a Gilbert-kind of season with 3000+ cq points

 

[Panda Claws]

I have said it before, and I will say it again: Boonen is going to have a Gilbert-kind of season with 3000+ cq points

Not enough versatility to accomplish that.

 

[will10]

I have said it before, and I will say it again: Boonen is going to have a Gilbert-kind of season with 3000+ cq points

2006: 2559pts

Can't see him topping that again. Think he'd trade 1500pts from minor races for a win in San Remo or another Flanders

 

[Netserk]

2006: 2559pts

Can't see him topping that again. Think he'd trade 1500pts from minor races for a win in San Remo or another Flanders

Olympics will give him 400

 

[Kvinto]

Well if cancellara hits his best form in the cobbled classics boonen has little hope of a win there. If by some chance cancellara is having an off day in RVV or Paris- Roubaix boonen alongside hushovd would have the best chance of profiting from this. He could win a Ghent-Wevegem though.

In fact i do not rate Cancellara 2011 any weaker than him 2010. It was he same Canc, but in classics its a lot easier to lose (or make someone lose) so being the best is not that crucial unlike in GTs

edit: saying this i mean i wouldn't count on 'Cancellara's having an off day' but even at his best Fabian is not unbeatable (like the last season showed)