Even though Tom Boonen spoke optimistically about his recovery from a dislocated AC-joint, which he suffered in a crash at Paris-Nice earlier this month, Etixx-Quick Step manager Patrick Lefevere revealed that the classics specialist still has a long and painful road ahead of him.

Etixx-Quick Step manager told the Belgian media that Boonen is able to ride a bike, but following usual training routine remains impossible in his current condition. What's more, a strong pain still prevents him from sleeping at night.

Lefevere also emphasized that there is no pressure on the 34-year old Belgian to return to racing in particular time, which cannot be surprising as the injury excludes him from participating in the whole Flemish classics campaign anyway.

"Tom’s recovery is painful. I spoke with him just before Milan-San Remo and he still can’t sleep on that shoulder and his elbow still hurts,” team manager Patrick Lefevere told Cyclingnews.

“He can ride a bike but there’s a big difference between biking and training. When the pain goes he can start training but everything depends on the pain.”