Tom Boonen: 'World Championships keep me on the bike'

Tom Boonen has revealed that he is targeting a second road World Championship title next month when the competition takes place in Ponferrada, Spain.

The 33-year-old Omega Pharma-QuickStep rider won the title in Madrid in 2005, but has missed several World Championships since through injury and illness.

"I will have to be super but it's not impossible," Boonen told Het Letste Nieuws.

"However, I will not be top favourite. In 2005 in Madrid. I was not and I took it anyway.

"It would be nice, but unlike Fabian Cancellara, I already have one jersey. A fourth Tour of Flanders or a fifth Paris-Roubaix keeps me on the bike. Those are the reasons you do it."

Boonen has also confirmed that he will ride the Vuelta a Espana later this month.