Lars Boom's return to cyclocross will not stop after this season. "I plan to do cyclo-cross every winter," Boom tells BN/De Stem. "I just like to do it and I really missed cross," he adds in Het Nieuwsblad.

"It is going better than in other years and therefore the team will also soon benefit from it on the road," the Astana rider tells the Brabant newspaper. What can be expected of Boom is also still a question mark for him. "Therefore, we first have to calmly see where I am. The training sessions are going well and the condition is fine. Now it's just wait and see how quickly I can pick up the cross rhythm. "

In Het Nieuwsblad, Boom tells a bit more about the upcoming races in which he will mainly be in chase mode.

"Because of my starting position, it will not be easy to achieve a good result although Heusden-Zolder has the advantage that you can quickly move up a lot of places during the long starting section. But I have obtained no results. The important thing is that I enjoy myself and I come through the race unscathed. Which does not mean that I won't try to finish as high as possible. I hope for top 10. That would not be bad for the dress rehearsal for the Worlds.

"I want sharpen my explosiveness. I noticed last season that I lacked explosiveness in the final of the great classics. In consultation with the team management of Astana we have decided to do some cross races this winter. I cannot imagine better training. A cross race is one hour at full gas with accelerations. Hopefully I can reap the fruits in the spring. "

Whether he is going to ride the World Championships in Zolder in late January is still not entirely clear. National coach Johan Lammerts would be happy to select him and Astana have already given the green light, but Boom himself still has doubts. 

"This decision is still under consideration. But it seems feasible. On Monday night I return from Australia and so still have time to get used to the cross bike, the weather conditions and the time difference (ten hours, ed.). We arrive on time in Australia so I can do three training blocks, followed by a week of racing at a high level. Therefore my condition should be ready for the World Championships in Zolder."