Tom Boonen: 'I couldn't just quit after the skull fracture'
The Classics legend says he's looking for the perfect way to bow out of his prolific career
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6WPCd3xXmyuCAnkTvN4aC3-415-80.jpg)
Tom Boonen at the 2016 Paris-Roubaix (Sunada)
![Gregor Brown](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CXdXi6ZmhvHdnpm7pSwJBL.jpg)
Belgian Tom Boonen (Quick-Step Floors) says that he could not stop on the heels of fracturing his skull in 2015 Abu Dhabi Tour, that the magical moment will be Paris-Roubaix on April 9.
Boonen, who won the Tour of Flanders three times and Paris-Roubaix four times, will retire when he arrives in the Roubaix velodrome in northern France.
"A lot of circumstances came together," he told Het Nieuwsblad in Argentina, where he is beginning his 2017 campaign.
"I couldn't just quit after the skull fracture. I was not at my normal level the season afterwards. So there had to be another year.
"I never saw myself stopping in the GP Fourmies or a race like that. I wanted to stop on the Roubaix velodrome. I was born a cyclist, and I love that place."
A crash in stage two of the Abu Dhabi Tour scared the cycling world when doctors rushed to examining Boonen's head. They took him to a hospital, where he recovered for a week before flying back to Belgium.
That incident nor Boonen struggling to re-gain fitness through the spring was not the proper final act for a Classics great.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Through 2016 – returning to win RideLondon and the Brussels Cycling Classic, and placing third in the Worlds – Boonen considered retirement.
Just as Bradley Wiggins ended his road career, Boonen as well would ride through to the Hell of the North.
"I'm sixteen years pro' and so very often went away from home. If I call and ask Lore, and ask if our two small men miss me, she says, 'Not really, because you are never home.' They are now at an age when they should see more of daddy."
Watch: Our review of Tom Boonen's 2017 bike, the Specialized Venge Vias
The 36-year-old from Mol will head the powerful Quick-Step Floors team one last time through the Classics with the team's new signee and former world champion, Philippe Gilbert.
Judging by the Tour de San Juan in Argentina, he should have a fruitful spring. He led team-mate Fernando Gaviria to the sprint win on day one and sprinted to victory himself the next day.
It was the first win by a rider on disc brakes in professional cycling.
"Never say never. That's what I learned," Boonen replied when asked if his decision was final.
"There's always doubt, especially if you are still riding well, as I am now. You inevitably think, there's more in the tank.
"And it's true, I could easily go two or three years more. Not at the highest level, but slightly lower. But you have to think it is going to stop at some time, and why not do so at a peak while I still love the bike?"
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
8 odd, quirky and cool tech innovations spotted at the Sea Otter Classic
A kevlar wheel, an unusual aero bike, solid helmet straps, a bike made from recycled plastic bike, and more - 8 odd, quirky and cool tech innovations spotted at the Sea Otter Classic
By Daniel Palma Published
-
Cycling training plans: 10 week plans for beginners, intermediates and racers
Get into cycling, get fitter, or ride faster with our cycling training plans
By Anna Marie Abram Published
-
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
-
Mark Cavendish wants to continue for 'at least' two more years
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sprinter turns 37 this weekend
By Adam Becket Published
-
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
-
Fabio Jakobsen on aiming for the Tour de France, lawsuit against Groenewegen and supporting Cavendish
The Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl rider showed he is back to being one of the fastest sprinters around at the Vuelta a España
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Last updated
-
'I don’t want to end my time with the regret of not ever trying': Julian Alaphilippe wants to try and win Tour de France before retiring
The double world champion will focus on the Classics in 2022 but still has an eye on the French Grand Tour
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Julian Alaphilippe and Remco Evenepoel share their thoughts ahead of Il Lombardia 2021
The two Deceuninck - Quick-Step riders come into the final Monument of the year as two of the main favourites
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Julian Alaphilippe says losing the rainbow jersey would have been 'a certain form of relief'
The French star stormed to an amazing second world title in a row on the roads of Leuven
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Sam Bennett makes return to Deceuninck - Quick-Step squad in Belgian one-day race
The Irish sprinter has fallen out with management, recently racing the European Championships without consulting with the team
By Alex Ballinger Published