Bomans taking a hard look at Cornu following 35th place finish at World TT Championships
It appears the honeymoon is over for Dominique Cornu, at least when it comes to his status within the Belgian National Team. Belgian National Coach Carlo Bomans had harsh words for the rider who still has a few days to wait until his twenty-fifth birthday following a below par effort in Thursday's Elite time trial.
"If you're in a time trial at the World Championships and you can't go faster than that, then you have a problem. It is time that Dominique begins to know his limits," said the stern Belgian to Het Nieuwsblad following Cornu's disappointing 35th place finish in the World Time Trial championships. The young Belgian was 35th out of 42 riders, over five minutes behind a storming Fabian Cancellara.
"A time trial never lies. Dominique should take care that he doesn't end up in the category of the eternal promise that never comes good. Of this kind, we have had enough."
Bomans is right to worry about the eternal promise of Cornu. In 2005, the 20 year old Cornu shot to victory at the U23 TT World Championships in Salzburg. Predictor-Lotto picked up the great new hope, but following two disappointing seasons in its ranks, passed Cornu along to Patrick Lefevere's QuickStep team, but Lefevere apparently had enough of Cornu after only one year.
For 2010, the tall time trial specialist bounced to Skil-Shimano and has enjoyed his best season yet, highlighted by time trial victory at the Tour of Belgium and a second place overall finish behind only Stijn Devolder. A 9th at the Eneco Tour of Benelux, 5th at the Three Days of De Panne TT, and a 3rd place on the fourth stage of the Tour Mediterranean all combined to make for a solid year. At the bare minimum, 2010 has shown a developing, growing Cornu.
Still, Cornu's development and his vast potential have not often come in line with each other. Carlo Bomans has seen Cornu's progression every step of the way, and at this point, it's not where he'd like to see it.
Cornu has some time though, but it's growing short if he is hoping to get a spot on the Belgian Olympic team for the London in 2012.
"Cornu wants to go to the Olympics in London in 2012, but he must prove that he is good enough for a top eight."
2011 will be a critical year for the 24 year old. In his fifth season as a professional, will he finally be able to take the step up to the elite group of time trial specialists?