Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling star Tom Boonen closed Wednesday in Mallorca a week of workouts together with the team.

"I am quite happy about the training I've been doing," Boonen says. "I put together something like 1000 kilometers of training in six days, with a day of rest in between. We only had to skip two hours of training due to the rain."

"For the rest, we always trained with good weather, and that was important. The arm still hurts a bit, because I can't stretch it completely following the surgery. But OK, it just means I can't completely stretch my arm, or completely grab the handlebar in the bottom part. I can't stay in a certain position for a long time, but that's because it's only been two and a half weeks since my surgery. I need more time to recover," Tom Boonen says.

"My condition is improving, even if it is not at the point I am expecting at this time of year. I have to deal with it, and do my best to be fit for the next races. Now, we go to Oman where I hope to find good weather there, and be able to do another block of work that is important prior to the Classics."

Boonen said he is following the progress of his teammates at their current races — particularly, the success of Mark Cavendish at Tour of Qatar.

"I heard about it, and watched a few videos online of Mark's wins, even if I can't follow online every day because of training," Boonen says. "I can't watch the race live, but in the evening I can read the reports on the OPQS website and I know the guys are doing really well. I am really proud of it. I also had a short chat with Mark. He is happy everything is going well. I hope the team can continue with their winning mood."

Boonen has now returned to Belgium, and on Saturday he will leave to participate in Tour of Oman.