Tom has won his second Paris-Roubaix. Next on the list are the green jersey in the Tour and the rainbow jersey at the Worlds. "Even though I realize the line between winning and losing is a thin one", he mentioned.

On Tuesday, a very relaxed

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Tom held a press conference in Antwerp and he admitted he hadn't yet fully recovered from his efforts in the Hell of the North. "Which will last a couple of more days for sure. Things were quite hectic during and after the race", he said.

"I'm not surprised I can handle the pressure that well. Simply because I knew I had been working hard in the preparation. It is true that the line between winning and losing is a very thin one. Imagine a puncture about a kilometer before the finish: we wouldn't be sitting here right now and my classics season would have been without a major victory", Tom realized.

"Sometimes I simply don't get it why particular journalists keep on trying to focus on the bad things and leave the good things aside. I was a very young rider when I sort of appeared from nowhere and everyone in the press was happy about my efforts and results. However, when things go not according to plan, they try and write you down."

Will the green jersey of the Tour be the next aim? "It all depends on the first week. If I survive that one well and I have enough points already, the green jersey certainly becomes a goal", he looked into the future.

And the Worlds in Varese? "I quite enjoyed the route, even though you can never compare a reconnaissance with a race. During a worlds, the riders only race for two laps. The major aim is to still be fresh enough to finish it off when and where necessary."

"But those are sorrows for later. After the Scheldeprijs Wilfried Peeters and I will sit down and take a good look at my further schedule", Tom concluded.

Quickstep team for Scheldeprijs:
Riders: Tom Boonen, Wilfried Cretskens, Steven De Jongh, Kevin Hulsmans, Sebastien Rosseler, Kevin Van Impe, Davide Viganò, Wouter Weylandt. 
Directeur Sportif: Wilfried Peeters

At the Velodrome in Roubix, Tom finished ahead of his two escape companions Cancellara and Ballan. After a nervewracking race he won, in a sprint of three, Paris-Roubaix for the second time in his career.

After 87,5 km three riders jumped from the peloton: Jan Kuyckx (Landbouwkrediet-Tönissteiner), Matheus Pronk (Cycle Collstrop) and Alexander Serov (Tinkoff Credit System). All the major candidates for the victory were part of the chasing group, except for Flecha and Nuyens. QuickStep was well represented with Tom, Devolder, De Jongh, Wynants and Hulsmans.

With about 75 kilometer to go, Pronk was the last one to be reeled in and in the next few coble stone sections the bunch was eliminated to only a select few. Three pairs were supplemented by a few loners: Tom and his team mate Devolder, Hoste and Van Summeren, Cancellara and O'Grady were joined by Ballan and the surprising Maaskant.

On the five star section of Mons-en-Pévèle Devolder started upping the speed and he managed a small lead. O'Grady bridged the gap and the two worked together really well. Both Tom and Cancellara had a team mate up front and didn't collaborate so it was Hoste's task to start chasing.

Because of Hoste's efforts, Devolder and O'Grady were taken back, but Vansummeren had to let go. With only seven riders left and 38 kilometer to go, Tom jumped. He immediately was countered by Cancellara. Ballan joined in later on as well and the three were able to break clear from the rest, where Devolder and O'Grady barred all proper chasing.

Tom and Cancellara tried to jump a couple of times, but no one of the three actually managed to break away. Ballan was the first one to start on the cycle track in Roubaix. Positioned third, Tom put in a powerful jump and left Cancellara and Ballan behind.

After 2005, Tom was able to be on the highest podium level again.

"At the Carrefour de l'Arbre I then squeezed them until they were dead"
"Above all, I'm proud on the fact I was able to finish it off against such strong riders like Cancellara and Ballan", Tom says. "I felt really great today and this to me is the proof I was in shape the last three weeks."

"I truly focussed so much on this Paris-Roubaix. Which is a great risk, but it also makes the victory so much better. Things went so much better compared to last year. I jumped on the road, even though I wasn't the best of the leading group. Entering the final with only three riders was perfect. Both Cancellara and Ballan had had their best already and at the Carrefour de l'arbre I then squeezed them until they were dead."

Boonen seemed to win easily in the sprint. "It might seem that way, but it is not that easy", Tornado Tom said. "I started on the right and immediately took three bicycle lengths worth, but there is still some tactics involved."

result:
1. Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step	5h58'42"
2. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC	at 1"
3. Alessandro Ballan (Ita) Lampre	s.t
4. Martyn Maaskant (Ned) Slipstream Chipotle - H30	at 3'39"
5. Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team CSC	at 3'57"

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