A confidence of Tom Boonen gradually grows as he prepares himself to line-up in a top form at World Championships held in Spain. While using the Vuelta a Espana as a traditional build-up, the 33-year old Belgian revealed that he will target his second road race title as this years parcours definitely play in favour of classics specialists.

Boonen won his first World Championship title in Madrid nine years ago and he plans to repeat the achievement while the competition will be held in Spain again, this time in the northwestern part of the Iberian country.

The 33-year old Omega Pharma – Quick Step rider has analyzed this year’s course thoroughly, claiming that it would favour classics specialists rather than pure climbers and that it might make the Belgian national team one of the strongest contenders in the road race.

“I’m definitely not saying no to second World title,” Boonen told Sporza. “Following the spring campaign, world Championships were my biggest goal.”

“The course in Ponferrada is demanding, but not overly tough. It’s a demanding course, like the one in Madrid and I expect some selection to happen, but it’s certainly not a World Championships road race for climbers in likes of Rodriguez. It’s not that heavy.”

“Some teams would want the race to be decided in a bunch sprint, like Germans and French. Most nations are going to try to make this race as tough as possible,” Boonen explained team tactics.

Boonen is also expected to line up in the Omega Pharma – Quick Step outfit at the World Championships TTT. Even though the 33-year old Belgian expect to meet a stiff competition from Orica-GreenEDGE, he still believes in their chances to win third consecutive title.

“If we line up with our strongest six riders in a top shape, most likely we are the favorite.”

“Orica spend even 15 days training specifically for that event, but we’re not afraid. It’s a fair discipline.”