Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) continued his steady comeback after an accident-prone spring campaign at the Tour of Belgium, which started yesterday.

For the first time since the Tour of Oman back in February, Boonen ventured into a bunch sprint yesterday. Eventually he was defeated in the dash to the line by André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) but afterwards Boonen was satisfied nonetheless.

"I was at the wheel of Nikolas Maes, around the fifth place, Boonen told Het Nieuwsblad. “Then I jumped to the wheel of the rider from Argos-Shimano [Ramon Sinkeldam]. But by so doing, I may have lost the sprint. I took a chance and thought I could spring a surprise but by this time Greipel was already at full speed and I could not get out," said the Belgian champion.

With fifteen kilometres to go Tom Boonen appeared at the head of the pack along with the men of the BMC team. "It was difficult to pull. I thought the BMC was making preparations for the bunch sprint so I had to sit up front," he said. “We were battling a strong headwind, so it was almost impossible to push forward and get to the finish in just a small group. But I am satisfied, after six months of misery I was finally able to compete for the win. But more difficult days lie ahead of us.”