Yesterday in Asteasu, Saturday in Elorrio and Sunday in Igorre - the first found three cyclo-cross for Lars Boom do not take place in the most high-profile locations. "I want to start far from all the attention. I only, want to measure myself against the top riders during the Christmas period and at the Worlds. But I have to be selected first.”

In the Basque Country, Lars Boom avoids the other Belgian and Dutch riders. "At the moment I'm not ready to measure myself with them," Boom tells Het Nieuwsblad from northern Spain. "I'm here because I enjoy riding in this region, because there are three races in a short period of time and because I can easily join the first team training camp on Monday."

After the training with his new team-LottoNL Jumbo, the 30-year-old Dutchman will resume the cross activities ay the World Cup race in Heusden-Zolder. "Around Christmas time, I plan to go to some cross aces in Belgium and the Netherlands. Surhuisterveen is already certain and I am still negotiating with the other organizers.”

The Worlds in late January is a goal. Last year, Boom was a fine fourteenth despite little preparation. "This season I hope to get better for that day. Last year I had often had back problems. This year I do not have that physical ailment. I also have to prepare better and more specific. I would like to play a role at the Worlds although the coach has to select me. The course this year suits me better than Zolder."

Last year the 2008 world champion did cyclo-cross for fun. This year it is different. "I will not start for fun. I'm not going to announce that I will win against Mathieu and Wout, but I'm not going to ride as an extra rider. I hope to fight against those two to become stronger. I will not be satisfied just with a spot in the top 10. I want to play a major role, also at the Worlds.”

After two seasons at Astana, Lars Boom will make the transition to LottoNL-Jumbo on January 1. He also had chance to ride for the Telenet-Fidea team of manager Sven Nys. "Immediately after the spring I sat down with Sven a few times. It was an option to be back at full-time cyclo-cross. There were negotiations, but they chose to sign Lars van der Haar.

Nys confirms the talks. "I've always had a very good relationship with Lars Boom. We have long been teammates. The team and I wanted him but we finally opted for Van der Haar.”

Boom and van der Haar have the same agent.