Lars Boom: Another Young Rabobank Ace in the Hole for 2009

Back in September, 22 year old Dutchman Lars Boom announced that he will pour himself into the road discipline in 2009, after a successfull stint as one of the Netherland's top cyclo-crossers in 2008. Boom holds all three Dutch national jerseys (time trial, road, cyclo-cross), and team sponsor Rabobank will hope that the Dutchman can make a successful transition over to road racing.

Boom will join fellow Dutchman Robert Gesink, also 22, on a resurgent Rabobank squad that has big plans for 2009. Boom, the 2007 U-23 world time trial champion, has the potential to be a leader on the Rabobank team. Over his short career, Boom has made a lasting impression, and all signs point to a successful 2009 on the road.

Having Robert Gesink as a teammate will serve Boom well, as the 2008 Rabobank revelation will be able to assist Boom with transitioning to big time European racing. Hopefully Boom will be included on the Tour of California team, as the early season stage race will give him an important first taste of elite road racing. And after he gets his feet wet in the early season, Boom will be avaluable asset to Gesink as the lanky climber tries his hand at the Tour de France for the first time.

Boom will continue to race cyclo-cross through the winter, and should arrive fit and motivated at the beginning of the 2009 road season. And as long as he can stay healthy, Boom should be seen on a handful of podiums throughout the year. And when the world championships roll around next fall in Mendrisio, Switzerland, Boom may be on the list of favorites in the time trial discipline.

After a tough 2008 season that saw Dutch star Thomas Dekker leave the orang-clad Rabobank team, things are looking up for the team of veteran's Oscar Freire and Denis Menchov. While Freire and Menchov garner big wins and headlines, both Boom and Gesink will be able to ride with relatively little pressure. Then, as the mid-season point arrives, each of the youngsters will be able to come to the front and seek out wins of their own for the Rabobank team. if all goes to plan, the orange and blue of the Rabobank outfit could be seen at the front of the peloton throughout the year, from February through October.