'Never say never' – Tom Boonen considers gravel with an itch to return to racing

Boonen pictured at the 2019 Tour de France
Boonen pictured at the 2019 Tour de France (Image credit: Yuzuru Sunuda/AFP via Getty Images)

"Never say never," was Tom Boonen's response when asked if he could return to competitive cycling. The 42-year-old Belgian has revealed in an interview with Sporza at the Velofollies cycling show that he has considered directing, coaching and even gravel racing in the future.

"I'm even considering looking for some competition on the bike again. I'm still a bit hesitant, but it's starting to [itch] again," Boonen said in the interview while at the expo to promote the Classified wireless shifting system.

Kirsten Frattini
Deputy Editor

Kirsten Frattini is the Deputy Editor of Cyclingnews, overseeing the global racing content plan.

Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.

She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006. In 2018, Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy, race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023.