Tom Boonen finished a special edition of the Scheldeprijs, tailor made as a huge send off for the soon-to-be-retired Belgian. While he celebrated the victory of his Quick-Step Floors teammate Marcel Kittel, Boonen admitted he has struggled to focus on his final career goal: a record fifth Paris-Roubaix victory.
Boonen's build up to the Hell of the North has been more hectic than usual because of all the attention on his impending retirement, but he was honoured by the tribute from the Scheldeprijs organisers. "It's very busy, whereas it's normally much calmer. Sunday is a very important day, retirement or not. I want to win that race," Boonen said.
"Of course, it's impressive to see this big race in Mol. If you ask me, it's something that should be repeated. It's special to race for the last time on Belgian soil. Time is flying by. I need to try and enjoy."
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At last Sunday's start of the Ronde van Vlaanderen in Antwerp, Boonen was welcomed on the podium with the Icelandic thunder-clap. On Wednesday, the organisers of the Scheldeprijs turned their race into a nostalgic Boonen tribute. The race started in his hometown Mol and looped through his home area before heading to its traditional finish in Schoten, near Antwerp.
"It was a special day for me," Boonen said after the race. "As everybody knew, we were riding through my region. At the end of the race, Marcel came over to ask me to help a bit, because it wouldn't be easy. So, in the final lap, I rode near him and kept him out of the wind."
Boonen then asked the media scrum to open in order for him to congratulate Kittel with a big hug.
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