Boonen takes to the track

Before flying in Andalucia, Spain, to take part in the Vuelta a Andalucia, World Champion Tom Boonen will attend the Six days of Hasselt in his native Belgium tomorrow, February 9, to ride against Rabobank's Marc Wauters in the pursuit (3000 m). The show will be on in the evening at 8 pm.

But before 'Tornado Tom' will take off to Spain, the Quick.Step rider will receive yet another prize: On Friday afternoon, he will be handed the Trophée National du Mérite Sportif, a recognition for the Belgian sportsman of the year, directly from the hands of S.A.R. the Prince Philippe of Belgium in the Brussels' Hôtel de Ville.

"I am very proud to receive this recognition from my country," said Boonen, who is currently having some difficulties training because of the bad weather in Belgium. He will certainly be happy to line up at the 2.1 stage race also called 'Ruta del Sol', taking place in the Southernmost region of Spain. In the first clash between the Belgian fast man and fellow supersprinter Alessandro Petacchi, Boonen will be supported by Serge Baguet, Wilfried Cretskens, Steven De Jongh, Kevin Hulsmans, Matteo Tosatto and Guido Trenti.