Antwerp (December 19), the World Cup races in Namur (December 20) and Zolder (December 26), Loenhout (December 29), Brendene (December 30) and Surhuisterveen (January 2) are the six cyclo-cross races that Lars Boom (Astana) will do when he returns to the mud in a few weeks.

Boom has chosen the date of his return to cyclo-cross. It will be in the Soudal Scheldecross in Antwerp on December 19. After nearly three years of Astana, he will be back in the mud. The Dutchman has announced his own calendar: Antwerp, the World Cup races Zolder in Namur - "I hope to be selected" - Loenhout, Brendene and Surhuisterveen.

Right now he is gathered with his Astana teammates in Calpe but he has received permission from Astana. Boom was world champion in 2008 ahead of Stybar and Nys at just 23 years of age. Since then he has focused on the road and his palmares now include a stage in the Tour de France (2014), one in the Vuelta a Espana (2009) as well as victories in Paris-Nice, Tirreno-Adriatico and the Dauphiné and the overall win in the 2012 Eneco Tour.

In 2015 he made a qualitative step forward in the cobbled races as he was fourth in Paris-Robaix and sixth in the Tour of Flanders.