This winter Lars Boom hopes to do a few cyclo-cross races in preparation for the new road season. "I have to find time where it fits into my program. And I still have to get permission from the team. Without their approval, I will do nothing," he tells Het Laatste Nieuws.

"Traditionally Astana do not participate in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad," Boom continues. "For Rabobank and Belkin that race was an important first appointment in the season. The build-up for that race was difficult to combine with cross. At Astana, the first big goals a little later which means that I have a little more space in my calendar. Later this month, I will sit down with the team to discuss my program. I want to present my idea. I do not think they'll like it a lot."