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 may face six months out of action following Abu Dhabi crash
Doctors have advised that Tom Boonen sits out for six months following a skull fracture, but the Belgian believes he will be back on one
By Stuart Clarke Published
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Tom Boonen's custom edition S-Works Venge
Exclusive images of the S-Works Venge bike Tom Boonen will ride during the 2015 season
By Richard Windsor Published
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Tom Boonen: No-one needs to tell me when to retire
Tom Boonen insists he will decide when to retire and will not be persuaded by the thoughts of anyone else
By Gregor Brown Published
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Fabian Cancellara: "I'll start Paris-Roubaix with my game face on"
Fabian Cancellara says he is racing his last Paris-Roubaix to win it – a race that Tom Boonen says you don't need a plan for, "you need balls"
By Gregor Brown Published
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Taylor Phinney: Riders don't have to take those massive risks
The American says that it takes the efforts of both race vehicles and riders to improve safety
By Gregor Brown Published
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Tom Boonen: 'I couldn't just quit after the skull fracture'
Classics legend Tom Boonen says he's looking for the perfect way to bow out of his prolific career
By Gregor Brown Published
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Tom Boonen: 'Riders forget they are responsible for the safety of others'
Tom Boonen says there needs to be a change of mentality in the peloton to reduce selfishness among some of the riders
By Stuart Clarke Published