Boom plans big for 2010 Spring Classics

Lars Boom closed his season at the Giro di Lombardia Saturday in Como, Italy, but his thoughts have already turned to winning some of cycling's biggest one-day races next spring. The former cyclo-cross World Champion made a successful switch to the road this season and is keen to improve on his impressive debut season.

"I am meeting with the team and trainers this week to see what needs to be done to be ready for the Spring Classics in April," Boom told Cyclingnews. "I want to do big races – Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Amstel Gold – they are the ones that motivate me."

Dutchman Boom rose to the top of cyclo-cross to win the World Championship title 2008 in Treviso, Italy. This season the 23-year-old moved to Rabobank's top ProTour team from its Continental team to concentrate solely on the road.

He had a good start with victory the Tour of Belgium stage race in May. He recovered from illness and returned for another win in September. Boom attacked from an escape group on the San Jerónimo climb in stage 15 of the Vuelta a España and rode solo for 22 kilometres to win by 1:36.

For Boon, the results have given him confidence for 2010 and justified his decision to abandon cyclo-cross.

"I will do a couple of non-competitive cyclo-cross events and then a couple of races in January, but that's it. I want to be ready for the big Classics," he continued.

Boom will take a vacation and then return home to Vlijmen, where he will move into a new apartment before he commences his preparations for next season.

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