Although x-rays have ruled out fractures after Tom Boonen’s crash today in the Ronde van Vlaanderen, Omega Pharma Quick Step doctor Yvan Van Mol has said that the Belgian rider will not compete in Paris-Roubaix next weekend.
“It is excluded that Tom will start Sunday in Roubaix,” he told Het Nieuwsblad, thus quashing any thoughts that he might recover in time.
“He can definitely not ride his bike for three to four days. We’re going to give him about 10 days of rest.”
The defending champion crashed out of the Ronde van Vlaanderen after twenty kilometres today, hitting some road furniture and falling hard.
He suffered a contusion to his left hip plus a wound on his left elbow. He also received stitches for a wound to his right knee, but x-rays showed that he was clear of fractures.
After the crash, Omega Pharma Quick Step manager Patrick Lefevere said that he thought the rider’s spring Classic campaign was over. Directeur sportif Wilfried Peeters was a little more hesitant about proclaiming an end. “I will first wait for the diagnosis, but it’s barely a week to Paris-Roubaix. This is short notice, of course.”
Boonen took the rare Flanders/Roubaix double last season. He was aiming for his fifth Paris-Roubaix triumph next week, which would have been an all-time record.
Instead, it seems that he will now have to wait until next season before chasing that target.