The Year of Tom Boonen

World Champion. It has been almost ten years since the meaning of that title was so honored. Tom Boonen is without a doubt by far the best rider in the world in 2005. The way in which he won the E3 Prize Flanders, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in two weeks can be called revolutionary. His overwhelming and attractive style already makes him one of the greatest classic riders. But Boonen does so much more: he wins the Tour of Belgium and achieves two spectacular stage victories in the Tour de France.
The manner in which he won the world title in Madrid was simply breathtaking.
The charismatic Boonen himself tempers the trumpet sound. Despite his popularity, the young idol remains remarkably down-to-earth. And that makes him even more beloved.
2005 may have been Tom Boonen's year, but it was also a big year for Di Luca, Basso, Savoldelli, Vinokourov and the retiring Armstrong. In his typical style, critical and compelling, Michel Wuyts analyses the most important events and personalities of the cycling year 2005.