Boom's birthday ends in stiches

By Brecht Decaluwé

Cyclo-cross World Champion Lars Boom (Rabobank) will miss tomorrow's Grand Prix Sven Nys in Baal, Belgium after suffering injuries in Tuesday's Azencross Loenhout. The rider will take the time off to recover from his injuries, which include stiches in his elbow but no broken bones.

Boom had a nasty crash when entering the street towards the finish line as his chain jammed, causing him to lose control and slip out of his pedals before crashing to the ground. It was an unfortunate way for Boom, who was unable to continue the race, to celebrate his birthday.

"I've got a deep wound in my elbow and that ought to be stitched. I've also got some scrapes on my knee," Boom told Sporza. "I don't think anything is broken but I'll have some photos taken to make sure about that."

Boom is expected to be back in action for the Internationale Centrumcross van Surhuisterveen. The riders doesn't believe the incident will have an impact on his bid to retain the world title at the end of January.