September 20, 2007 – Tom Boonen will not be taking part in the Stuttgart World Championships that take place on September 30. Boonen had planned a 3-hour training session today in order to ascertain his physical condition, but he was forced to suspend the training session after two hours due to the increased pain coming from his right knee. After consultation with the QUICK STEP-Innergetic team medics and the Belgian National Team Manager, Carlo Bomans, Tom Boonen decided that he will not be taking part in the 2007 Road World Championships.

“This was a painful decision to have to make — unfortunately I’m not able to give continuity and intensity to the work I’d have to do in light of the World Championships,” Boonen explained. “I am extremely disappointed that I’ll not be able to defend my country’s flag at Stuttgart. I prefer to leave my place to an athlete that is able to give more guarantees to the National Team than I can at present. Unfortunately my season finishes here. If I were to race then I’d only risk making my knee worse which could also lead to jeopardising my preparation for the following season.”