Tom Boonen To Skip Tour de France

ByEdward Pizzarello

Not many people know his name.  But, Tom Boonen is one of the best sprinters in cycling.  He’s very big for a cyclist (6’4″ compared to Lance’s 5’9″), and he’s the best rider on the Quick Step team.

A problem with his patellar tendon will keep him out of the race this year.  It’s already a lean year for the sprinters.  Mark Cavendish, the best young sprinter, had a horrible dental issue that has kept him from training for weeks.  Thor Hushovd (the greatest “name” in cycling, referred to as the God of Thunder) broke his collarbone a month ago.  Couple that with some retirements and drug issues, and the sprint stages of the Tour look to have a decidedly different face this year.

Other than watching Lance, the 9 or 10 sprint stages are some of the best cycling television there is.

My goal in life is to fill my family’s passports with stamps, creating buckets of memories along the way. You’ll find me writing about realistic ways for normal people to travel the world, whether you’re on a budget or enjoy luxury. I also enjoy taking us on the occasional detour to explore the inner workings of the travel industry.

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