Boonen eyes stage win
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ByEurosport
Published 06/03/2006 at 11:38 GMT
Tom Boonen is thinking ahead to the early classics, but after a strong prologue will look for a Paris-Nice stage win on a sprinter's dream. Monday's flat 193 km ride from Villemandeur to Saint-Amand-Montrond would be perfect for the World Champion to snag
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"For me this race is ideal preparation for the classics, starting with Milan-San Remo (March 18), one objective this season, then the Tour of Flanders (April 2) and Paris-Roubaix (April 9)," said the Quick Step leader.
Boonen finished fifth on a strong showing in Sunday's prologue through the rainy streets of Issy-les-Moulineaux as 2005 winner Bobby Julich (CSC) took the first yellow jersey with a prologue victory.
"Taking the yellow jersey was certainly not my prime objective," Boonen said. "Now I hope to win one stage, and in that event likely grab that jersey."
Three seconds down on Julich at the beginning of the first stage, Boonen will have chances at two intermediate sprints to try and make up ground. The top three finishers in each sprint are awarded 3, 2 and 1 second. Bonuses at the finish will be 10, 6 and 4 seconds.
"My goal then is not to be at full throttle all the time, but only in two or three stages, starting notably today, then Thursday's stage, equally flat," Boonen said. "Then I would like to test myself on Saturday's stage, which will be more hilly."
"For the rest it's too sloping, I just hope the weather is better than last year, because the key is preserving my health."
"On that note, I heard we don't pass far from Joyeux tomorrow, where they had the bird flu."
Boonen joked: "Maybe they should give us some masks."
On his decision not to challenge the Tirreno-Adriatico, which kicks off this week, he said it had nothing to do with avoiding rival Alessandro Pettachi, who will be in Italy, not France this week.
Boonen's decision was due to his desire to remain clearly focused on the classics.
"I would rather have a good week to recuperate after Paris-Nice to better prepare for Milan-San Remo, then only two or three days after Tirreno."
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