Tom Boonen criticises Wout van Aert's 'I just don't have to do anything' comment: "He gets paid handsomely to win"

Tom Boonen has been fairly outspoken in his criticism of Wout van Aert's decision to allow teammate Christophe Laporte to take victory at Gent Wevelgem in recent days. Now, following van Aert's response, expressing his displeasure at the pundits remarks, Boonen has bitten back.

Van Aert was not impressed by pundits reaction to his actions at Gent-Wevelgem, expressing "I just don't have to do anything." Boonen disagrees however and has been quick to respond. "You have to call a cat a cat: he gets paid handsomely to win those kinds of races. Isn't that the point of everything? You don't work yourself out for six months and then suddenly say: 'gee, it's not all that important.'"

Click here to create your own team for the Fantasy Tour of Flanders. At least $6,500/€6,000/£5,720 in prizes!

Read also

PREVIEW | Tour of Flanders 2023 - Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert and Tadej Pogacar the big favourites

Boonen, an incredibly competitive bike rider in his own right isn't completely full of animosity however, instead opting to provide van Aert with some advice. "You can only do your very best and make sure that you are 100% ready to control everything that can be controlled. In a race you try to let your own plan fall into the fold as much as possible," Boonen explains.

"What Wout did in the E3 Saxo Classic was one of his best rides ever. It was the first time he won with his head and not with his legs. He can just repeat that in 'De Ronde'," he continues. "I think Pogacar will be the best man in the race. But that doesn't make him win."

Read also

Wout van Aert admits pressure ahead of Sunday: "The Tour of Flanders is the biggest race of the year for me"