Tom Boonen’s good run of form continued today when he took victory in the Brussels Cycling Classic for the second time in his career, having first won the race previously known as Paris-Brussels in 2012. Since extending his contract with Etixx – Quick-Step in July and announcing that he’ll put an end to his career after next year’s Paris-Roubaix, Boonen has also taken wins in the RideLondon Classic and stage 1 of the Tour de Wallonie.
Having 13 hills jammed in the 200-km long course between Jubelpark and Heysel, the Brussels Cycling Classic got off to a furious start, with things settling down only once eight riders got away from the bunch.
The race was marked as being one for the sprinters, but this didn’t discourage the attackers, who were intent on making things difficult for the teams who wanted a bunch gallop. Etixx – Quick-Step was one of these squads and as a consequence helped to control the escapees and the late attackers.
In the second half of the race, Boonen’s team was at the pointy end of the peloton, reducing the lead of the riders up the road, before eventually making the catch in the final hour. Alexis Gougeard (AG2R) and Filippo Pozzato (Willier-Southeast), made a late move, but a well-oiled Etixx – Quick-Step team made sure of not giving any of them too much leeway, so the race came back together in the closing kilometre.
After being left in an ideal position in the final 400 meters, Boonen launched his sprint early, after a strong lead-out by Nikolas Maes, and despite having Arnaud Demare (FDJ) and Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) on his wheel, he kept both French riders at bay and crossed the line victorious.
“I am very happy for getting this win, the team did a perfect job throughout the day and provided an excellent lead-out in the final kilometre. The race was a fast and frantic one, with many attacks and narrow roads, but I am really satisfied of how things went”, said Boonen after bagging Etixx – Quick-Step’s 46th victory of the year.
“Yesterday, I talked with Marcel and asked him if he’s ok with me going for the sprint and he agreed. On top of that, he also helped me today, so chapeau to him! When Nikolas started his lead-out, FDJ came to the front on the right side of the road, so I decided to go. It was a little bit too early, but I kept something for the last 150 meters, when I pushed 100%. It wasn’t easy, but it’s really great to win again here. This victory bodes well for the next races of the season and for the World Championships in Qatar”, Boonen concluded.
