Museeuw hails new king

Johan Museeuw:Before last Sunday and the Tour of Flanders, I said he'd be there in the finale, but when he found himself alone, I said to myself it's incredible. So yes, he's young but for me he rides like a man of 30."

A: When I was on that podium with him, I told him you'll win this race at least once. Now I can say, he'll win it several times.

A: I'm almost certain that he'll win two, three, maybe more.

A: It's true. I retired at the right moment. Tom is already there. He came along at the right moment to take my place to win classics because outside of him and [Peter] van Petegem, there wouldn't have been much joy in our country. Now Tom Boonen, he's the King of Belgium.

A: I can give a lot of ideas to him, but this rider already has a lot of experience. In fact, I don't say much to him. He's very mature for his age.

Eurosport: A lot of effort went into that win in Paris-Roubaix...

Tom Boonen: "It's six, seven hours, but people don't see the six, seven months or the six, seven years of preparation that goes into these races."

A: (smiles) "There's already a king in Belgium."

Patrick Lefévère (Quick Step sporting director): "I'm not going to say that he [Boonen] doesn't feel the pressure but he handles it very well. He's very well backed by the team, not only by the riders, but also by the doctors, the mechanicians... Without exagerating, I think I have the best staff in the world."

A: "A lot of countries are going to be jealous. Yes, cycling has a future.

A: "He'll do the Scheldeprijs, which takes place near his home and then he'll take a well-earned vacation: remember he didn't have a rest during the off-season because of his operation on his intestines. Then will come the preparation for the Tour [de France] with the Tour of Picardy, the Tour of Belgium and I think the Tour of Switzerland."