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Tom Boonen Photo Gallery

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Paris–Roubaix: The Inside Story

Tom Boonen (born October 15, 1980) turned professional as a stagiare in September of 2001 for US Postal. He showed his extraordinary talent in the 2002 Paris-Roubaix when he finished third. His original duty had been to ride as a domestique for George Hincapie, but after Hincapie crashed he was able to ride for his own account. Realizing that US Postal would not give him sufficient opportunity to escape domestique duties and win races, he bellowed and was allowed out of his US Postal contract.

He signed with Quick Step-Davitamon, managed by Patrick Lefevre and has ridden for Lefevre-run teams ever since. Boonen's first year with Lefevre was forgettable, but in 2004 he he hit his stride, winning three big single-day races, including Gent-Wevelgem as well as two Tour de France stages.

Boonen's 2005 was spectacular with victories in both cobbled classics, the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix. He capped off the season by winning the rainbow jersey at the World Championships in Madrid.

Tour of Flanders, the Inside Story

His racing in 2012 was the stuff of legends. He won his third Tour of Flanders and went on to win his fourth Paris-Roubaix, both record-tying victories. At Paris-Roubaix he rode away from a helpless field with 55 km to go and time-trialed all the way to the Roubaix velodrome. It was a scintillating performance. Boonen became the first rider to do the Flanders/Roubaix double twice.

It's hard to tell from the photographs, but Boonen is a big man, 6' 4" (1.92m), weighing 180 pounds (82 kg). Writer Chris Sidwells says Boonen's long upper body distributes his weight evenly between the front and rear wheels, making his bike very stable over cobbled roads.

His career has been troubled by injuries, particularly compromising his 2010, 2011 and 2013 seasons. His personal life has not been without difficulty, having tested positive for cocaine three times.


Major victories and high placings:

2002:

2003:

2004:

2005:

2006:

2007:

2008:

2009:

2010:

2011:

2012:


Professional Teams:

September 2001-2002: US Postal
2003-2004: Quick Step-Davitamon
2005-2007: Quick Step-Innergetic
2008-2011: Quick Step
2012-2014: Omega Pharma-Quick Step

Nicknames: Tornado Tom, Tommeke, the Bomb from Balen, De Balen Express


Photos:

Tom Boonen in the 2004 Tour of Flanders

2004 Tour of Flanders, Boonen on the Molenberg.

Boonen in the 2004 Tour of Flanders

2004 Tour of Flanders, Boonen leads Michael Boogerd up the Kwaremont.

Boonen in the 2004 Paris-Roubiax

Boonen leads Magnus Backstedt (maybe the only racer who can make Boonen look small) through the Arenberg Forest in the 2004 Paris-Roubaix.

Boonen in the 2005 Tour of Flanders

Boonen leads Peter van Petegem up the Bosberg in the 2005 Tour of Flanders.

Tom Boonen in the 2005 Ronde van Vlaanderen

Quick Step exerts its power in the 2005 Ronde van Vlaanderen. Boonen is behind Wilfried Cretskins, Marc Lotz is on the right.

Boonen in the 2005 Ronde van Vlaanderen

2005 Ronde van Vlaanderen: from the left, tom Boonen, Andreas Klier and Peter van Petegem.

Tom Boonen wins the 2005 Ronde van Vlaanderen

Boonen wins the 2005 Ronde van Vlaanderen.

2005 Tour of Flanders podium

2005 Tour of Flanders podium, from left: Andreas Klier, Tom Boonen and Peter van Petegem.

Tom boonen in the 2005 Paris-Roubaix

Boonen rides the cobbles in the 2005 Paris-Roubaix. George Hincapie is third in line.

Tom Boonene wins 2005 Paris-Roubaix

Tom Boonen wins the 2005 Paris-Roubaix in front of George Hincapie and Juan Antonio Flecha.

Tom Boonen with Francesco moser

Tom Boonen on the 2005 Paris-Rouabix podium with Francesco Moser.

2005 Paris-Roubiax podium

2005 Paris-Roubaix podium, from left: George Hinacpie, Tom Boonen and Juan Antonio Flecha.

Tom Boonene wins the 2005 World Road Championships

Boonen wins the 2005 World Road Championships.

Tom Boonen on the Grammont in the 2006 Tour of Flanders

Big Tom on the Grammont in the 2006 Tour of Flanders.

Tom Boonen and Frank Hoste

Tom Boonen leads Lief Hoste in the 2006 Tour of Flanders.

Tom Boonen on the Molenberg in the 2006 Tour of Flanders

Boonen leads up the Molenberg in the 2006 Ronde van Vlaanderen.

Lief Hoste and Tom Boonen

Lief Hoste leads Boonen in the 2006 Ronde van Vlaanderen.

Tom Boonen wins the 2006 Tour of Flanders

Boonen wins the 2006 Tour of Flanders. Lief Hoste trails in second.

2006 Ronde van Vlaanderen podium

2006 Ronde van Vlaanderen podium, from left: Lief Hoste, Tom Boonen and George Hincapie.

tom Boonen with Vittorio Adorni

Vittorio Adorni congratulates Tom Boonen on his 2006 Ronde victory.

Tom Boonen in the 2006 Paris-Roubaix

Boonen leads over the cobbles in the 2006 Paris-Roubaix.

Tom Boonen in the 2006 paris-Roubaix

Another shot of Boonen in the 2006 Paris-Roubaix.

Flecha, Boonen and Cancellara in the 2006 paris-Roubaix

Juan Antonio Flecha leads Tom Boonen and Fabian Cancellara in the 2006 Paris-Roubaix.

Boonen in the 2007 Tour of Flanders

Michael Boogerd leads Boonen in the 2007 Tour of Flanders.

Tom Boonen in the 2007 Paris-Roubaix

Boonen on the rough stuff in the 2007 Paris-Roubaix.

Tom Boonen wins stage 6 of the 2007 Tour de France

Boonen wins stage 6 of the 2007 Tour de France.

Tom Boonen and Alberto Contador at the end of the 2007 Tour de France

2007 Tour de France: Boonen got the Green Jersey, Alberto Contador the yellow.

Boonen in the 2008 Paris Roubaix

Boonen (left) rides through the Arenberg Forest in the 2008 Paris-Roubaix.

Boonen on the cobbles

Bonnen on the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix in 2008.

Tom Boonen wins the 2008 paris-Roubaix

Tom Boonen wins Paris-Roubaix in 2008 in front of Fabian Cancellara (left) and Alessandro Ballan.

Boonen enjoys his trophy

Boonen enjoys his 2008 Paris-Roubaix trophy.

Philippe Gilbert leads Tom Boonen

Philippe Gilbert leads Tom Boonen up the Grammont in 2009 Tour of Flanders.

boonen and Pozzato in 2009

Tom Boonen and Filipo Pozzato near the top of the Grammont in the 2009 Tour of Flanders.

Boonen in the 2009 tour of Flanders

Boonen leads Filippo Pozzato and Thor Hushovd in the 2009 Paris-Roubaix.

Finish of 2009 paris-Roubaix

Boonen rides his laps as his wins the 2009 Paris-Roubaix.

Tom Boonene wins 2009 paris-Roubaix

Boonen wins Paris-Roubaix for the third time.

2009 paris-Roubaix podium

2009 PAris Roubaix podium, from left: Filippo pozzato, Tom Boonen and Thor Hushovd.

Tom Boonen on the grammont in the 2010 Tour of Flanders

Boonen grinds up the Grammont in the 2010 Tour of Flanders.

Boonen finishes second in 2010 Tour of Flanders

Boonen finishes second, well behind Fabian Cancellara, in the 2010 Tour of Flanders.

2010 Tour of Flanders podium

2010 Tour of Flanders podium, from left: Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellara and Philippe Gilbert.

Peter Sagan and Tom Boonen in the 2012 Tour of Flanders

Peter Sagan leads Tom Boonen in the 2012 Tour of Flanders.

tom Boonen wins the 2012 Tour of Flanders

Tom Boonen outsprints Filippo Pozatto to win the 2012 Ronde van Vlaanderen. Alessandro Ballan trails at one second.

2012 Tour of Flanders podium

2012 Tour of Flanders podium, from left: Filippo Pozzato, Tom Boonen and Alessandro Ballan.

Boonen in the 2012 Paris-Roubiax

2012 Paris-Roubaix: Tom Boonen blasts through the Carrefour de l'Abre sector.

Boonen in the Templeuve cobble sector of the 2012 Paris Roubaix

Still 2012 Paris-Roubaix: Boonen cruises over the Templeuve cobbles.

Boonen win Paris-Roubaix in2012

Boonen ties Roger de Vlaeminck's record of four Paris-Roubaix wins.

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