Tom Boonen leaves door open for flexible role at Soudal Quick-Step after E3 trial

Beyond the racing itself at the E3 Saxo Classic, one man in particular garnered plenty of attention in Harelbeke, record five-time winner Tom Boonen.

The former world champion was invited to travel on the race in his former team’s car by Soudal Quick-Step CEO Jurgen Foré, leading to speculation about whether Boonen might take on a role within the Belgian side in the future. 

However, Boonen immediately ruled out the idea of becoming a sports director, citing the fact that he has chosen to prioritise his personal life rather than a working one. 

“As a sports director, no, that’s certain,” Boonen told La Dernière Heure. “When I retired, I said I didn’t want to be away from home 150 to 200 days a year, and that hasn’t changed. I have three daughters, one of them less than a year old.”

When asked if a more flexible, advisory style role would be something of interest, Boonen was more open to the prospect.

“We’ll see. This is all new for me, I’m still buzzing from the race,” said Boonen. 

“The team was looking for someone with experience of racing itself, because in the Flemish classics you don’t win with data alone. 

“I told them on Thursday evening that the tactics here in Harelbeke are simple. Either you race at the front, or you suffer at the back. It’s a very honest race.” 

Even if he is convinced that a sports director role is not for him, Boonen couldn’t hide his satisfaction at returning to the Soudal Quick-Step fold even on a temporary basis. “I love it, it’s like coming home,” he told Daniel Benson.

Afterwards, Booenen weighed in with his opinion on the nail-biting finale of the race, where Mathieu van der Poel spectacularly held on for victory when the chase group had all but caught the Dutchman under the flamme rouge, but decided to bluff one another. It was a decision that Boonen questioned. 

"I didn't learn much today, only that those pursuers were reckless at the end. I worked myself up about that. You do all that work together to get there, and then those last 10 metres are really not the time to start messing around,” Boonen told Sporza.

Boonen is one of seven riders alongside Van der Poel sitting on a record-equalling three victories at the Tour of Flanders. Van der Poel will have the opportunity next Sunday to stand alone in the record books if he can conquer De Ronde once more.

The Dutchman's performance came as no surprise to Boonen, despite the "blood, sweat and tears" that Van der Poel described it cost him.

"Van der Poel was there as expected, but it was quite a performance. Otherwise, it was a typical edition of Harelbeke, exciting until the very end," said Boonen.

From a Soudal Quick-Step perspective, new recruit Jasper Stuyven was the team’s highest placed rider at the finish in Harelbeke, finishing 16th as part of the bunch behind Van der Poel and the chase group.