The Belgian champion, Tom Boonen, who underwent surgery on Sunday, Jan. 20th because of a septic infection to his left elbow bursa, will leave the hospital of Herentals tomorrow, the 24th of January. The situation is now improving, as Boonen has no fever or pain anymore to his elbow. Tomorrow morning Boonen will pass another medical check, and then he will return home. Boonen has to then respect another three days of complete rest. On Sunday, he will return on his bike for a short ride. Unfortunately, Boonen will not take part in Tour of Qatar as he has in the past years.

"I'm happy the situation now is improving even if I am still weak," Boonen said. "To have news released I can go home is good because it was a difficult moment for me and my family. Unfortunately I won't be in Tour of Qatar, one of my favorites races, as I decided with the team that it is too early. I feel sorry for Eddy Merckx and the race organization there. Everybody knows how much I like this race, but I really can't make it. First, I need to recover 100 percent physically and then start training again to see how things go. I will look into the best schedule to prepare for the Classics at the end of next week, and then I will decide with the team which will be the best approach."