Tom Boonen signs new Etixx-Quick Step contract; will retire after 2017 Paris-Roubaix

Tom Boonen has announced that he will retire from cycling after the 2017 Paris-Roubaix and has signed a new short-term contract with Etixx-Quick Step.

The Belgian, who has won Paris-Roubaix four times in his glittering career, continues his long association with Quick-Step, having ridden for the same team since 2003.

He finished second in the Hell of the North in 2016, losing out to Mathew Hayman (Orica-GreenEdge) in the famous Roubaix velodrome.

"I'm very happy and delighted what we came to an agreement. It's important for me to stay in this team, as I've basically spent my entire career here and enjoyed many beautiful moments, reaching some big goals", said Boonen.

"I know everybody since the inception of the team and I consider this squad as my second family. To be quite frank, I don't see myself with another [team's] jersey. It will be great to embark again with this strong team on a new adventure in the one-day cobbled races."

Boonen was crowned world champion in 2005, winning the second of his three Tours of Flanders in the rainbow jersey. Four Roubaix titles between 2005 and 2012, five wins at E3 Harelbeke, three Ghent-Wevelgems and the Tour de France points jersey are just some of Boonen's wins, which tally over 100 in total.