Relief for Boonen as x-ray shows fissure, not fracture

Tom Boonen had further x-ray tests on his foot yesterday at a hospital in Mol, after a suspected fracture caused by a heavy crash in the finale of Wednesday's Scheldeprijs Vlaanderen in Belgium.

The three-time Paris-Roubaix winner also visited the Herentals Clinic this morning, where he was diagnosed with a fissure in the navicular bone in his right foot, not a fracture.

Boonen will now observe a ten-day period of complete rest before resuming training on a bike.

"When these things happen, it?s always better to look on the bright side," said Boonen.

"Fortunately, we?re talking about a fissure; a fracture would have been more complicated.

"Furthermore, this accident came in the last race marking the end of the first part of my racing season, and the recuperation time for the injury coincides with my period of rest from competition."

Quick Step was adamant that the injury would not jeopardise the Belgian's preparations for the Tour de France.

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