After having a bad crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen, Lars Boom has had his preparation for the Tour of Flanders heavily hindered. But the 29-year-old Dutchman is concentrating only on tomorrow and Roubaix, looking to improve his best finishes in those races of 11th and 6th.

"For me it’s important, after my crash at Dwars, I couldn’t ride E3 or Gent-Wevelgem properly. Normally, I wouldn’t do it, but now I am doing this to prepare the best way possible for Flanders,” he told VeloNews of his participation in the Three Days of De Panne.

He spoke of his injuries sustained in consecutive crashes at Dwars door Vlaanderen and E3 Harelbeke.

“It was a hard crash on Wednesday. And again on Friday, but luckily, that wasn’t too bad. The hip was totally stuck, and the muscles are bruised, so it needs a little bit of time. I hope I am ready,” Boom continued. “Luck is part of the game. Positioning is important. Wednesday was just bad luck. You take some risks, sometimes you lose, but sometimes you win some as well.”

Astana signed Boom to lead the team in the Classics and after his thrilling ride across the Cobbles in last year’s Tour de France, where he won stage five, many are expecting the Dutchman to deliver.

His DS Stefano Zanini says Boom will be in a god enough condition to challenge the favourites tomorrow, but that Roubaix is the race where the team really wants him to shine.

“I think Lars will be OK, despite crashing at Waregem and Harelbeke,” Zanini told VeloNews. “He’s very concentrated, and he’s very determined to play a big role in Flanders. These races are the first big goals of his season.”

“I believe that he could do even better in Roubaix, but I think he has to try his luck at Flanders. If he’s strong, he will make his play,” Zanini continued. “We’ve had some bad luck in these first classics, so we’re hungry. We want to finish on the podium at both Flanders and Roubaix. Why not?! It’s a dream, but the team has worked hard to prepare for these races.”

Boom himself aggress with this assessment, saying Roubaix suits him better, but that he is still determined to get a good result in Flanders.

“I like Roubaix a bit more because I think it’s better for my style of racing, but both are a dream, and both are a pleasure to ride. These are the big races of cycling. It’s such great racing here,” Boom said, patiently signing autographs.

“If I have the feeling of Wednesday, before my crash, I think my chances are good. I am very motivated for these races. I think I will be there.”