Boonen back in Belgium

At 3pm on Monday afternoon, Tom Boonen's flight landed in Zaventem. The World Champion's return home caused some mad situations in the national airport, where hundreds of fans welcomed their hero.

On Tuesday afternoon, Boonen and the entire Belgian team will be expected to meet with King Albert at the Royal Palace in Brussels. On Wednesday, Boonen will be in a less festive mood as he will be operated on for a tear in the peritoneum - a consequence of last year's operation on his intestines.

Fans wishing to see the new World Champion race again this season will have to make a trip to Curaçao. After a well-deserved holiday, Boonen will ride the Amstel Curaçao criterium on the 5th of November on this paradise Island.