Feb 3, 2006
Boonen Takes Qatar
Tom Boonen won the final stage 4 of the Tour of Qatar in a dominating show of sprinting prowess. Boonen’s only loss came yesterday as he was beaten by both Bernhard Eisel and Erik Zabel.
Eisel was quick to point out that he only won because Boonen was having shifting issues.
Boonen commented on his current form by saying: “There is still plenty of time…My first objective is Milan San Remo and I am still coming into form”.
This is a quote that must put all those guys with fast twitch muscles on notice, since with Boonen and his tweeked out Treno Blu present there may not be much chance of winning a sprint this year for anyone else. This year, Quick-Step has made personel moves specifically to help Boonen win more sprints. Riders such as Stephen De Jongh of Rabobank, Guido Trenti and Matteo Tossato of Fassa Bortolo.
Petacchi’s current Milram Team was unable to get Tossato and Trenti signed, so now they bring their experience to work for the young Boonen.
The extensive experience certainly shows as Boonen has been unbeatable when there are no technical glitches to slow him down.
What remains to be seen is if this form and domination will carry over to the regular season. Once Milan San Remo rolls around, will Quick-Step still be clicking as they are now? There may be some other issues that breakup the Treno Blu, such as the ambitions of Quick-Step teammate Paolo Bettini.