Van Petegem believes

ByEurosport

Published 28/03/2006 at 13:24 GMT

When he did the Tour of Flanders-Paris-Roubaix double in 2003, Peter Van Petegem accomplished a formidable feat. Then came Tom Boonen. Two years later, the fellow Belgian did the same, also capturing the world title and wearing green on the Tour de France

"I don't think there are many recipes," Van Petegem admitted in an interview with Belgian newspaper La Dernière Heure.

The 36-year old Davitamon-Lotto leader was among those who saw Boonen and Lampre's Alessandro Ballan flatten the field last Saturday in the GP E3.

For Van Petegem, it's a difficult task beating the red-hot Boonen. Difficult, but not impossible.

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"First, you have to be among the best. Then you need a bit of luck, to be surrounded by your team-mates, and above all, not to make any mistakes. In other words, all the circumstances have to be in your favour. You can't afford the slightest hitch."

TEAM-MATES "STILL HAVE TO IMPROVE"

Next Sunday in Bruges, Boonen will be even stronger with Olympic champion Paolo Bettini and recent Milan-Sanremo winner Filippo Pozzato joining his posse.

Van Petegem insists that he's not impressed:

"Me, I never look at the others, or rather there's already so many things to keep an eye on in a race! Last Saturday, I missed the moment when McEwen was dropped by Ballan and Boonen, and it was too late."

Van Petegem hints that he'll need more out of the likes of Robbie McEwen, Nico Mattan, Tom Steels, and Gert Steegmans on Sunday:

CYCLING 2006 Tirreno-Adriatico Van Petegem McEwen

Image credit: Imago

"It's true that my guys were pretty strong last Saturday, but despite that, I was lacking a team-mate or two in the finale. I'm happy, but the team still has to progress."

Same as Lance Armstrong was criticized for focussing solely on the Tour de France, the Belgian press has often pointed out Van Petegem's penchant for banking his entire season on the Flandrian classics, a criticism that irritates the 14-year veteran.

"It's always the same remark I'm handed: as if I only raced 15 days in the season! Me, I know what I do, and if others did as much, they'd be as good during these 15 days. Let them try it!"

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