The Heusden-Zolder circuit has a special significance for Lars Boom (Astana). He took his last big victory in cyclo-cross in the Belgian city in 2010. The 2008 World Champion of the discipline made his return to the high level this Monday on this same circuit in the World Cup race. 

It has become a habit for Boom who is preparing for his 2017 season. Last year, he did the same, but the results were not brilliant: he was forty-third (last ranked), 7.15 behind winner Mathieu Van der Poel. This year, he prepared things differently by doing some races in the Basque Country. It turned out to be efficient. He finished eleventh at 2.28.

"Last year, I had made a good start but had subsequently stalled," explained Boom to Sport.be. This time he did not stall even though he missed a bit in the end. When winner Wout Van Aert (Crelan - Vastgoedservice) was far ahead and Laurens Sweeck (ERA - Circus) was in between, it was Boom who brought Mathieu van der Poel (Beobank - Corendon) back to the group that was fighting for third place. He was not able to keep up the rhythm but he did not lose much. 

"I had promised myself to have a good start and see what I could do. I was hoping to keep my place. It lasted a long time but at some point I had to admit that technically, those who do more cross were stronger than me. They made the difference in the technical sections and turns, which made me lose ground.”

It is a real satisfaction for Boom, who proved that he “can still ride cyclo-cross." The aim now is to progress with the aim of performing at the Dutch Championships and getting selected for the World Championships. To become selectable, he will have to make another top 16 in a World Cup event. To be selected, he will have to present his arguments to his federation that only have six spots.

"I understand that those who have done the whole cross season, want to go, but at some point, I fought for fourth here. The other Dutchmen didn’t do that," he tells Sport.be. 

The preparation will go through a Dutch race in Surhuisterveen on January 4 before the Italian World Cup in Fiuggi and the final round in the Dutch city of Hoogerheide.