It was hard not to know that Tom Boonen was making his last start in Paris-Roubaix on Sunday. The four-time former winner made a final run at glory in the Queen of Classics with his Quick-Step Floors team aiming to work in full support of the 36 year-old Belgian star.
It didn't work out. Teammate Zdenek Stybar found himself in the winning selection the Czech rider ended up sprinting for the victory. He fell a few meters short, beaten by in-form Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) and settling for runner-up honors for the second time in his career. Boonen finished in the big chase group in the velodrome – packed with fans – and rolled across the finish line in 13th place. Boonen and his countless fans didn't get the happy end they were hoping for, but early disappointment quickly turned into celebrations, with fans starting their chants for 'Tommeke' Boonen.
After the race, Boonen arrived at the bus and took his time to freshen up. Meanwhile, a huge gathering of fans and media was trying to get near Boonen. When he eventually appeared in the doorway, it was as if a football team had scored a last-minute winning goal. For the first time, very briefly, Boonen showed a glimpse of his emotions.
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Sporza journalist Renaat Schotte asked about the outcome of Boonen's race, sprinting for sixth place. "A sixth place doesn't mean a lot," Boonen said. "All day long we were riding at the back really. Once we started the sprint I was thinking, 'What for?' I was glad to have gotten there and it wasn't for the victory that I was racing. All day long I wasn't in the running.
"I was really marked out massively by Degenkolb. To me, he rode the most cowardly race of his life. It's a pity but I resigned myself to it."
Later he was asked if he felt a fifth win was within his reach. "Hm, yes. There was still the possibility in the final 15 kilometres but behind the first group there wasn't a team who was capable of doing something. Only in the final part, Lotto worked because Greipel bridged back up. They rode really well but they were the only team."
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