Boonen wins record equalling third Tour of Flanders

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Boonen wins record equalling third Tour of Flanders

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Belgian cyclist won one day classic Tour of Flanders for a record equalling third time.

01 April,2012 08:18 pm

31-year-old Tom Boonen - previously a winner in 2005 and 2006 - beat home Italian duo Filippo Pozzato and Alessandro Ballan in a sprint finish to the 255km race.His task had been made easier when Switzerlands Olympic time-trial champion and the winner of this race in 2010 Fabian Cancellara fell 62km from the finish.Cancellara, who was one of the pre-race favourites for the second one day classic of the season, stayed seated on the ground clutching his collarbone and could be considered a doubtful starter for next Sundays Paris-Roubaix.Boonen - who was aided by French champion Sylvain Chavanel in regulating the pace after the peloton regrouped with 39km to go - was left with just a group of 10 other riders after a crash after 221km had split the peloton.Ballan made a break for it on the third climb and was joined by Pozzato and Boonen with 17km to go, with the trio gradually extending their lead over the remainder of the riders.Boonen - who was world road race champion in 2005 and has won the Paris-Roubaix three times - was recording his eighth win of the season and third in 10 days.--AFP