Boonen gets disc brakes for his 2017 Specialized Venge

Tom Boonen (Etixx-QuickStep)

Tom Boonen (Etixx-QuickStep) (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)

Although disc brakes were allowed in 2016, Tom Boonen opted against using them this season. In Paris-Roubaix, he rode a rim-brake Specialized Roubaix SL4 to a heart breaking second behind Mat Hayman (Orica-GreenEdge).