Sick Boonen donates start fee to charity

By Susan Westemeyer

Tom Boonen is suffering from intestinal problems, but he isn't letting his illness prevent him from doing good. He is giving his starting money from the Herentals Criterium, about 30,000 euro, to various charities.

"It was Tom's idea," said race organizer Filiep Bataille to SportWereld. "He said that he didn't feel right accepting he money when he couldn't ride." Boonen dropped out of the race after only two laps. He said that he had developed severe intestinal problems since the end of the Tour and would now have to rest.

Part of the money will be given to the "Move to Improve" project, which helps paralyzed children.