Theo Bos (Cervélo TestTeam) has caught the eye of classics star Tom Boonen (Quick Step) in Qatar. The track sprint champion is learning the road racing trade, while leading out team-mate Heinrich Haussler and impressing his rivals.
"You've never had the build of a real sprinter," said Boonen to Bos in a conversation overhead by De Telegraaf. "I always watched the World Cup track events on television and saw you racing against the 100kg giants.
"It was amazing. You are such a little guy but you are efficient, you know how to generate a lot of power with very little weight. I am also convinced that you'll be a great road racer."
Bos, 26, won a silver medal in the sprint at the Athens Olympics and was world champion in 2004, 2006 and 2007. In 2006, he set the record for the flying 200-metre sprint – 9.772 seconds. This year, he has switched to become a full-time road cyclist.
Boonen knows about what it takes to become a successful road cyclist, he has won the World Championships, Paris-Roubaix three times, Ronde van Vlaanderen twice, Tour de France stages and, yes, even Tour of Qatar.
"How did you win all your races?" asked Bos. Boonen said, "You just have to kick harder than the rest. You should know that already."
Bos led-out team-mate Haussler in yesterday's Tour of Qatar stage to Al Khor Corniche. Haussler finished second behind winner Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas-Doimo), Juan José Haedo (Saxo Bank) placed third and Bos fourth. Boonen finished 11th, but he won stage three and is currently 11th overall.