Although Tom Boonen is recovering well from the heavy crash in early October at the Abu Dhabi Tour, he will never be one hundred percent his former self. The 35-year-old tells Het Nieuwsblad that he has lost part of his hearing permanently.

"I am not bothered by it anymore, it is just my left ear. I lost part of my hearing and it is permanent. That is annoying but you get used to it." Boonen has just attended a training camp with Etixx-Quick Step. "They had predicted six months. We are now two months later and I am training quite well.”

Last month Boonen spoke about the injuries to his left ear and a constant noise at a press conference. He still had high hopes that it would eventually go away.

After his cycling career, Boonen is determined to show his talent in another sport. "It is one hundred percent sure that I will then turn to motorsport. In Belgium there are quite a few championships where you can have fun as an amateur.”

After his training, Boonen is regularly racing on the circuits in Zolder and Francorchamps. "The ultimate goal is the 24 Hours of Zolder. It is close to home, family and friends. At this time, motor racing is a hobby for me. And let me be clear: I want to keep it that way.”