What if Boonen Quits Bunch Sprints

by samboo on Apr 15, 2009 11:34 PM EDT Comment 58 comments

Following up on a fleeting thought from the Schadenfreude post-race thread ... let's just say Boonen wakes up tomorrow and decides he's done with bunch sprints. Reasons are plenty, self-preservation, lack of a Petacchi/Cavendish style leadout, too many better sprinters, lack of interest, maybe he wants to avoid brain damage so he can play with the future little Tommekes. Who knows?

What would his future be? I thought of a few possible career arcs and they don't sound too shabby:

Be like Cancellara -- it's been said this year that they could have been each other, so maybe Tom could do the magical things that Fabian does. TT like a god, win MSR and Tour stages with panache from 2k out, get us all in a tizzy by what he did at the Olympics RR, and be a STUD for a tour-winning team.
Be like Jens! -- breakaway specialist, winner of minor events, universally loved for his toughness and willingness to attack whenever and whereever
Be like Hincapie -- focus on the cobbles, be a super-domestique and the dude can sprint out of a small group given the opportunity.
Be like Thor - come to think of it, Thor is a low-rent Boonen so not a real good option

IMHO 1 is the only one that is even remotely close to what Boonen is today. And despite everyone's love of Fabian, I would take Tommeke's current and future palmares in a heartbeat.

I'm pretty ignorant on the past, present and future of cycling compared to the collective intelligence of PdC so I ask you -- let's say Tommeke won't bunch sprint anymore, what career arc could he have?

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Eh

it’s like asking “What if I quit drinking?”

Just not gonna happen.

by Sui Juris on Apr 15, 2009 11:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

no.. Maybe he/she has to link this article with it..

Their are better people who can translate but I’ll give it a try:

Tom Boonen find the era of mass prints is over for him(self). “I will be less involved in mass spurt, like Museeuw has done. The satisfaction(?) is off and the risk is too large,” he says in Het Laatste Nieuws.

“Such denouement are specific for the pure spurters as Petacchi, Cavendish and Cipollini once. My future is probably in power(?) explosions as last Sunday. It is very, very likely that I’m gonna focus on other races/I’ll set different accents. It will be different . I know what I can, I know the other riders, each track, almost every important point. I think that within a reasonable time, another Boonen rides around. "

Hope it’s clear..

Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..

by Frinking on Apr 16, 2009 3:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So he's gonna try to win Clasica San Sebastian this year?

by brunopitton on Apr 16, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh, I know that he actually said this

I’m saying that I think it’s just idle talk on his part.

by Sui Juris on Apr 16, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So due his own words he's gonna be a Cancellara..

If he succeed? Don’t think that.. Cancellara is from an other planet.. But what’s gonna compenstae the Green jersey?

by Frinking on Apr 16, 2009 3:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

"Cancellara is from an other planet.."

+10 …. Boonen has his strengths, but becoming a Cancellarian is far from his atmosphere.

by sminer on Apr 16, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He can become my new play thing??

I’ll treat him well, and he can wear the Green Jersey anytime he likes :-)

"the rest was over 30. And that doesn't mean old and useless, but experienced and with the stamina"

Jens! Voigt, Crit Intl Interview, 2009

by CycleGirl on Apr 16, 2009 3:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

the thing about Boonen and Spartacus

is that they could both have taken each other’s path to greatness. So if the 6 year-old Tommeke started time trialling and in Switzerland Fabian started sprinting, Tom would have 2 world championships, 2 olympic medals, a handful of stage wins, and two(?) classics; and Fabian would have a world championships, a green jersey, a handful of stage wins and a handful of classics. But the key difference between the two is that Boonen enjoys winning the same races each year. Spartacus gets bored, and tries to win new races every year.

And is this suggestion of him leaving the bunch sprints before or after his fall at Scheldeprijs?
And

by Wireless on Apr 16, 2009 3:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

First, I wouldn't say that Thor is a low rent Boonen

He is just different. He wins prologues, and quite a few of them at that, as well as sprints. He doesn’t have the same kick as Boonen, but I don’t think he’s second rate anything. Part of his problem probably stemmed from the fact that he was at CA for so long that he didn’t have the opportunity to concentrate on classics like he does now. Also, Boonen doesn’t have quite the same engine for events like prologues. Secondly, Boonen is too fast twitch to be a Cance. You can work on weaknesses, but you can only be the kind of rider your physiology lets you be. While it’s true that Boonen isn’t winning all the bunch sprints these days, he’s still better than all but a few. I don’t seem him changing.

If I just had one more gear, I...

by SpunOut on Apr 16, 2009 5:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Thor is a pretty dynamic racer nowadays. No, he doesn’t win massespurts as often, and he’s less certain to win a classic, but he’s very much in on a lot of races.

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris... on Apr 16, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't Boonen claim once

that he was planning on shifiting his emphasis to become more of a GC rider? If so, well, we’ve seen how that’s panned out.

Talk is cheap.

by Le Comte on Apr 16, 2009 9:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think the history is complicated

Boonen started out as one of those guys who could put out huge wattage, Spartacus-style. He was on US Postal, which makes sense, because Bruyneel is Belgian and collects big-wattage riders. He could also sprint, though, which makes him different than Spartacus.

Then he decided that he was a sprinter, and started breaking out big in what, ’04? He won on the Champs that year, I think. He lit up the sprints for about two years, but was kind of a disappointment in the ’06 Tour when it hit Belgium.

Then it became clear that he wasn’t as fast in the sprint anymore by what, ‘07? And his schedule coalesced around the cobbles and one-day races. I’d say he effectively is the sprinting version of Spartacus now. He’s perfect for one-day races that aren’t too climby—-he can whittle down a pack to just people he can outsprint.

I don’t think we’ll ever see a Boonen GC run, except in the flat races. Too big, too fast-twitch. But I like what we have—-a guy who could win an occasional T-A or Paris-Nice if he wanted, and who can bring home a monument every year.

by Softie on Apr 16, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm fine with him right now as he is

even if he never wins another non-cobble race again. My point is that he’s talked about remaking himself before. Personally, I see no reason for it. If he wins one more P-R, he’s tied with De Vlaeminck. If he wins two more (and I certainly don’t see that as an impossibility), he’s the greatest P-R rider of all time. And that ain’t exactly a bad legacy…

But we’ll see if he really takes himself out of the sprints. I suspect that, once July rolls around, he’ll be itching to win something, and his best chance, IMHO, is a sprint. Yeah, it’s a bit unlikelier now that Cav is around, but just because Cav is dominant in the sprints doesn’t mean it’s impossible for anyone else to win.

by Le Comte on Apr 16, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just winning 4 P-R doesn't make him another De Vlaeminck.

De Vlaeminck completed P-R 13 times with all top 10’s and 9 podiums total. Boonen’s already got a 33rd place.

But if he wins it a total of 5 or 6 times he’ll show us all how good he is.

by brunopitton on Apr 16, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah I have to piggyback onto this comment

to disagree slightly with le comte – if Boonen were to win 5 P-Rs would this really make him the greatest P-R rider ever? Didn’t someone say once that if Merckx had focused exclusively on the Tour he’d have won it 15 times?

by plinytheelder on Apr 16, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think most people would think of him that way

I was thinking about legacy, not whether he’s actually better than De Vlaeminck (arguably the better rider, given that he won 4 of the 5 Monuments over his career; although Boonen of course isn’t done, of course, it seems unlikely to me he’ll ever win either LBL or GL, or even MSR, though he probably has a better shot at that than the other 2). But, if Boonen wins more P-Rs than anyone has ever done, I think it’s fair to say that most people generally (not necessarily unanimously) will think of him as the standard of measuring riders in P-R. I’m not saying he’ll be remembered as the greatest rider ever, just the best in P-R.

by Le Comte on Apr 16, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah I see where you're coming from...

though I must admit, for me the question will then be: what if R. de Vl. had focused exclusively on P-R? I see what you mean though.

btw slight rectification, de Vl. actually won all 5

by plinytheelder on Apr 16, 2009 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oops, yes, you're right

my mistake.

by Le Comte on Apr 16, 2009 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks to me like this year he has already made the decision to be a former sprinter

When you can win Flanders twice and Roubaix thrice, why bother to be merely a sprinter? Even the best sprinters are not remembered by history as well as the best hardman rouleurs and GT guys. Besides, to be the fastest sprinter, you really have to train for speed vs strength, and the two are completely different approaches. I don’t see Boonen ever winning a GT, but I do think there are a lot of hard races he can win yet, on power rather than in a sprint. Continuing to try and be a sprinter would handicap that effort.

I don’t see Boonen being as good as Cance at the TT’s, He’s not wired that way.

By the way, Softie I agree with the points you made above me while I was typing this.

"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."

by Rolls on Apr 16, 2009 10:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Boonen cites Museeuw

who began life as a bunch sprinter.

I can think of two remote analogues:

Jalabert and Zabel.

Of those two, I’d offer up Jaja as a more proximal example: a rider who re-tooled himself away from being a sprint-pony.

The problem, though, is obvious: that re-tooling limits the options. Jalabert wasted a lot of years being a contender in 1-week stage races, an also-ran in 3 week grand tours and a threat in hilly classics until he figured out the path to polka-dot jersey success. Of those possibilities, I’m not sure what would be the most attractive option.

by R Mc on Apr 16, 2009 11:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He could also be a Van Petegem

Race in the spring, race the WC, rest inbetween.

Brooklyn Chewing Gum: Vlaanderens Mooiste

by Koppenberg on Apr 16, 2009 11:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

none...

of the analogies presented are really valid for Boonen. Of these he is most similar to Cancellara but physiologically they are quite different. He is way better than Voigt, Hincapie, and Hushovd. Not really fair to try and compare him to other current riders since he is head and shoulders better at almost all of them in the Classics. I think the best comparison takes us back to Museeuw, got his start in bunch sprints, won on the Champs, but made his legacy in Roubaix.

by Huntero on Apr 16, 2009 12:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not a very big Jens! fan but I can say he's better or at least similair to Boonen..

He can get in a top 10 in a CTT, he can lead the peleton in an horse category climb, he can win the Tour of German, Criteruim International, win a lot of stages in Tour, Giro and Vuelta (Don’t know that for sure) But c’mon…

by Frinking on Apr 16, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am a very big Jens! fan,

but I have to say that he and Tommeke are two different classes of riders. Arguably Jens!’ best race ever was the Liege-Bastogne-Liege where he and Vinokourov broke from a LONG way out, worked together and sprinted out the win. Jens! rode like a god and finished second, his best finish in a monument.. Tom has won FIVE monuments, plus a world championship. Again, I love Jens! but he is the plucky underdog compared to the Lion of Flanders.

Brooklyn Chewing Gum: Vlaanderens Mooiste

by Koppenberg on Apr 16, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I so not agree with you..

Think we have an other meaning of great rider…. Maybe I underestimate 5 monuments but that’s just not my thing..

by Frinking on Apr 16, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes we know the monuments aren't a dutch thing

Last one was 2001 right?

Moreover, it is my opinion that Alejandro Valverde is an asshole who should not be allowed to compete in bikeraces right now.

by Jens on Apr 16, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Boogie came close in Lombardia a few times

But yeah.

by tedvdw on Apr 16, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not that.. Did Dekker didn't win Parijs-Tours in 2002/3 or something btw?

But if you look to the whole picture Jens is one of the greatest.. Boonen is made for Parijs-Roubaix and in all respect their are not many who are. Competition in Parijs-Roubaix isn’t just that high. If you see what Jens did I think it’s a huge larger than Boonen… Maybe you can’t see that in his results but that’s not what a great rider is about right?

by Frinking on Apr 16, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude, Paris-Tours is not a monument!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_cycle_races#The_.27Monuments.27

by tedvdw on Apr 16, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn

full link

by tedvdw on Apr 16, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude! You're right.. But tried to made the Dutch cyclinghistory a little more bright... We have to tell them something don't we?!

by Frinking on Apr 16, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

You two are killing me here. Two Dutch dudes talking like a pair of SoCalis.

Dude, bro…

by gavia on Apr 16, 2009 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I so heart me some ...

Wait, that’s socal girlie talk. Srsly.

by tedvdw on Apr 16, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

for sure ;-)

by gavia on Apr 16, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When your talking about who is greater or better your comparing apples to oranges...

Jens wins shorter stage races with varying prestige but nothing longer than a week. Boonen has won five monuments and will probably win a few more. Jens is a good climber and a super-domestique. Okay he has won the Crit International 5 Times but thats a 2 day race that is suited to him like Roubaix/Flanders to Boonen. Jens has only won 3 stages in grand tours which is a feat in itself but I think all of them where on transition days where he was in the break and given a pretty substantial leash.
Boonen has won 110 professional races (give or take a few) including a few shorter stage races that aren’t Qatar. Their is no way that people can say Jens is greater than Tom Boonen because you can’t really compare them because they don’t race the same way. Jens will just be remembered for being a hard man, Crit International record holder, and an all around nice guy. Tom will be remembered for winning many many monuments, a lot of freaking races, and being a bit of a dumbass.

by Vlaanderen90 on Apr 16, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Plus Jens! will be remembered

for sometimes looking as though he’s about to tear his bike apart with his bare hands.

But maybe that’s just me…

by Le Comte on Apr 16, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Orange! Orange!

Sorry, I stopped reading there. I mean their.

by tedvdw on Apr 16, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank God their/there is something like feeling...

Maybe everybody will remember Boonen but as cyclingfan I say Voight. Not everything is numbers is it?

by Frinking on Apr 16, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Everybody is entitled to your own opinion...

If you think he is better and you can justify it then sure.

Not everything is numbers. Though Merckx did win 525 times….but whatever.

I just think you can’t really comparing…It is like saying go compare Pantani and Museeuw and see which one is better.

by Vlaanderen90 on Apr 16, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Indeed.

Here’s Ms. Voight:

(sorry, too big? suck it!)

by tedvdw on Apr 16, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

wooow... When do we start our launch...

That woman is beautifull

by Frinking on Apr 16, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It would be quite a big problem for Quickstep

Without Boonen for the sprints, they really lack a leader for the Tour de France. Even a Belgium team can’t afford to be only about the classics, can it?

by William H on Apr 16, 2009 4:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

actually your wrong...

Devolder is going to be the leader for the Tour….he was quoted on CN I believe that he wants to “shine at the Tour.”

by Vlaanderen90 on Apr 16, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd have thought they'd want a leader who could actually achieve something

Which seems to rule out Devolder in the Tour. Well, he could win a stage if he got in the breakaway on the right stage, but he’s not leadership material unless you’re out of options

To be honest, I think Quickstep need a sprinter. Their half hearted attempts at competing for the GC haven’t worked at all.

by William H on Apr 16, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why not Alan Davis?

(unless he gets puertoed)

Moreover, it is my opinion that Alejandro Valverde is an asshole who should not be allowed to compete in bikeraces right now.

by Jens on Apr 16, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Si

Might be why they hired him, actually.

Assuming no one comes after him with a bunch of legal documents and such.

by gavia on Apr 16, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah Allan Davis is the sprinter plus they have Weylandt and a few others...

Its not like Devolder has to win the Tour…Quick Step could care less if they got top 20 in the Tour…If they win Roubaix and FLanders every year then they don’t have to worry about publicity and sponsorship dollars.

by Vlaanderen90 on Apr 16, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Last year

I said that Devolder would need an over-the-shoulder-Devolder-holder to get over the mountains at the Tour. He hung in there for a few days, and then got decidedly dropped.

But last year I think he tried. He reconnoitered the mountain stages, and even got Lefevre to agree that he was the GC captain at the Tour.

Physically, I think Devolder is the right size and he certainly appears to have the power. But he’s just not there yet on the climbs. I think if he is serious about winning the Tour, we’ll see a slightly smaller Devolder this summer, and then a Devolder targeting the Ardennes as opposed to Flanders next year. We’ll see.

by Softie on Apr 16, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is a history there

Lefevre used to hire a GC rider or 3 every year. Other than Virenque and Garate, none of them turned out to be worth the investment. They are a different breed of rider than the rest of the team, and it brought out a lot of dissent that the skinny prima-donnas wanted to get paid the same as the big work-horses but only were willing to race half as many days per season. They also got caught w/ dope a bit too frequently for comfort.

Some previous Quick-Step GC guys:

Juan Miguel Mercado

Jose Antonio Peccharoman (remember him?)

Andrey Kashechkin

Juan Manuel Garate

Mick Rogers

Patrik Sinkewitz

Jose Rujano

Eventually I think Lef. just gave up. Although QSI does have a nice collection of Polka-Dot jerseys, the delicate prima-donna personality that most GC specialists adopt just doesn’t play well on a team of hockey players, so to speak. Virenque and Garate managed to win and keep the respect of the team, but they were willing to put the team first rather than whine for the team to put them first.

Brooklyn Chewing Gum: Vlaanderens Mooiste

by Koppenberg on Apr 16, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs