After his withdrawal at the Giro d’Italia, Tom Boonen started yesterday the Baloise Belgium Tour "with ambition and want to achieve the highest possible result". The Etixx-Quick Step rider finished 29th, 27 seconds behind winner Matthias Brandle (IAM Cycling).

"My expectations are high. I want to put down a solid result here. It was part of the planning to retire early in the Giro and then start here", Boonen said, according to the Belga news service. "Actually all the stages are good for me, although the last stage is perhaps a little too difficult."

"Our team’s breadth is its strength. The last day will be all climbing and we will see who can survive."

Baloise Tour of Belgium decided to introduce a new thing: the Golden Kilometer in the final four stages, which is three intermediate sprints. Bonus seconds will be awarded for each intermediate sprint. "I don’t think a lot of time will be gathered. The escape will probably be there. It will probably be the teams from the second tier that will drive there. Moreover, you can’t do three sprints within one kilometer with a group. It will contribute a bit to the tension of the race, but really crucial? No, it is not."

"My condition is good.  had nothing more to look for in the last week in Italy", he concluded.