Tom Boonen will start the 2016 season at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. After his heavy crash at the Abu Dhabi Tour which cost him permanent damage to his hearing, the Etixx - QuickStep rider has followed a process of recovery and has told Ciclo21 that will be at the start of the Spanish stage race which is back on the calendar and will be officially presented on Thursday, January 7. 

Unlike in previous years, Boonen won't ride in Argentina as was originally planned, or the Middle East. Instead, the first part of his season will consist of European races. His second race will be the Volta ao Algarve before he return to Belgium for the weekend opening of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne.