Quick Step leader Tom Boonen is back to training following knee problems resulting from a combination of crashes at the Tour of California and the Tour de Suisse. The Former Belgian champion was unable to defend his driekleur jersey due to the injury to his left knee, and was also forced to miss a start in this year's Tour de France.
The problem started when he headed over to America, but the massive pile-up during stage four of the Tour de Suisse dealt the blow that put Classics rider out of commission.
Boonen was completely off the bike for more than two weeks before doing a 30 minute test ride to check the condition of his injury. It was good news for the Quick Step rider, who will ride over the weekend and visit the team's medical staff who are expected to gradually increase his training load.
The absence of “Tornado Tom” on the Quick Step Tour de France team looked to have been a nail in the coffin for the Belgian outfit for the three-week race, but with two stage wins by Frenchman Sylvain Chavanel combined with his stint in the maillot jaune, the team is having its most successful Tour in years. Jérôme Pineau has added the icing on the cake by keeping the King of the Mountains jersey warm for the climbers.
The injury will now likely put the World championships in Australia high on the list of priorities for the Belgian. He won the rainbow jersey in 2005, and will likely use the Vuelta a España as part of his build-up for the event.