Belgian ex-cyclist Tom Boonen, four times winner of the Paris Roubaix, 3 of the Tour of Flanders and World Champion in Madrid’2005, continues with his motorsport ambitions and aspires to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a Belgian team.
Retired 4 years ago, Boonen never hid his passion for motorsport, and his skills recently allowed him to win a competition, the GT & Prototype Challenge.
According to the 41-year-old former champion in Sport Foot Magzine, His intention is to live the tradition that existed in his country in the 60s and 70s of sending a national team to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“There are no definitive plans yet. Forming a team with a competitive car and good drivers is not a problem, but we need to find two or three big sponsors. It will probably be too early for 2022, so 2023 seems more realistic to meBut it all depends on the different categories of the World Endurance Championship, of which Le Mans is a part, “explains Boonen.
The winner of 6 stages in the Tour de France makes it clear that winning the Paris Roubaix “for the third or fourth time” was not as exciting as the first victories in motorsport.
“In a massive sprint you feel an emotional explosion, in a chaotic final, you find your way, win and raise your arms. In motorsports there is less chaos, you have more control, you have to stay focused and never go overboard., even when you are in a direct duel with another car. But once the finish line is crossed, the joy is immense, “he concludes.
