Expatica news

Cycling ace Boonen wins world championship

26 September 2005

BRUSSELS — Belgian Tom Boonen has been crowned world champion after a stunning victory in the men’s road race in Madrid on Sunday.

The 24-year-old finished the 273km race in a time of six hours, 26 minutes, 10 seconds to claim the coveted rainbow jersey.

Boonen beat home Spain’s Alejandro Valverde, while Frenchman Anthony Geslin claimed a surprise bronze.

All three recorded the same time for the race, which was only decided in a frenzied finish in the last 5m.

Prior to that, the race had been largely uneventful as the peloton stayed together for almost the entire race with remarkably few attacks.

Boonen’s victory is the culmination of a successful season. He had previously won three other races, including the Tour of Flanders and the Paris-Roubaix.

His success justifies the great hopes Belgium had placed on Boonen.

Belgian cycling legend Johan Museeuw said on the Paris-Roubaix podium in 2002 that Boonen would be his successor.

The prophecy came to fruition on Sunday as Boonen won Belgium’s 25th world championship crown.

Boonen was one of nine Belgians taking part in the race, including ding Mario Aerts, Peter Van Petegem and Nick Nuyens.

[Copyright Expatica News 2005]

Subject: Belgian news