According to De Telegraaf, nothing will prevent Lars Boom from taking part the Cyclo-Cross World Championships. Astana have given the nod and the National Federation also seems to be pleased to hae the former world champion at the start in Heusden-Zolder on January 31.

It will become a logistical challenge for Boom who will first do the Tour Down Under from January 17-24. Immediately after the Australian race, Boom will return to Europe to do a few training sessions in preparation for the Worlds.

"Normally I would have been back home on the Wednesday," said Boom, who had to change his ticket. "By changing the ticket I will already be back on the Monday and I can prepare well for January 31." National coach Johan Lammerts said that Boom is a welcome addition even if he does not fully live up to the guidelines of the National Federation. "Then I have a clause which allows me to select a rider even if he has not fulfilled that criterion," he said.

In this case, ‘that criterion’ means that Boom finish in the top sixteen of a World Cup race twice. Boom is scheduled to do the World Cup races in Namur and Heusden-Zolder.