(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Tom Boonen's unmatched pedigree at the Tour of Qatar will be put to the test against Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins when the two launch their new cycling season in the opening stage at Dukhan Beach today.
Boonen, winner of four Tour of Qatar titles, yesterday said experienced Wiggins presented a danger to all the 141 riders competing at the six-day event.
"No, Bradley's a very good overall rider," Boonen said when asked if he held any advantage over the 34-year-old British rival.
"He can ride in echelons, he can ride on cobblestones so it won't be a problem for him and for sure we will try to drop him every time we can," the Etixx Quick-Step giant said.
Boonen, 34, won the Tour of Qatar in 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2012. The affable Belgian has won 22 stages in the desert to lay his dominance over rivals.
"For sure he (Wiggins) will ride a good time trial. It's going to be difficult. He is one of the contenders this year. I just spoke about him. It will be hard. He's always in the first group," Boonen said.
The Belgian, who became a father to twin girls Valentine and Jacqueline, said luck played an important part if one wanted to enjoy a clean race in Qatar.
"Qatar changes every day. Every time we come here we see changes, the roads change," Boonen said.
"Knowing the roads is one thing but it is not really an advantage. It is just a race that suits me well.
"That's an advantage but you have to be lucky as well. I have been second a few times. I've had flat tyres in the final stages so it is possible that something might happen," he explained.
"This field is very strong so we have a big battle ahead of us," he added.
Boonen said winning in Qatar had served him well in past seasons.
"I want to try to keep winning as much as possible from the start. The years I have won in Qatar I have had a very good season," Boonen said. "It is not secret. Last time we came second in team. We also had very good spring classics. If you are well here you will perform well in other races as well," he added.
"There not many tactics involved in Qatar. Just echelons and just trying to break every time," he said.
Boonen said he had arrived well prepared. "(I am in) pretty good form. We had three good training camps already. We start tomorrow. It is time to start," Boonen said.
"I am still very, very well. I had a good winter. I prepared really well. It just became a father so that's extra motivation. I think we will have a nice week here," Boonen said.
The Belgian said being away from his family was 'hard'.
"It was difficult to get away. Normally I don't mind getting away from home but now it is difficult. But I am in touch with home," Boonen said.
Boonen said every second scored would eventually matter in the end. "Every second we can get is a second. Normally (in the) two intermediates sprints it depends as we don't take them straight away. Normally we wait for the first stage classification to sort the plans out. If you can take two or three seconds, it all counts," he added.
The Etixx Quick-Step giant said Qatar presented a 'unique' challenge.
"You don't have such conditions anywhere in the world. If you are good you will be in front. In the years I have won in Qatar I have done well in the season. Classics are not far away, he said.
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