Back in Black: Belgian Champ Boonen Making Hay Early in 2010

Tom Boonen's 2010 thus far has been the opposite of 2009. Last season the Belgian superstar was mired in controversy, dealing with emerging news that he had, on more than one occasion, tested positive for cocaine in separate tests. With the weight of the world seemingly on his shoulders "Tommeke" just wasn't his usual self. Sure, he took Paris-Roubaix in impressive fashion, but otherwise had a lackluster season, notching only six victories throughout the year.

Thus far in 2010 the reigning Belgian champion has already taken four wins, including his first ever victory on Italian soil at Tirreno-Adriatico against a top-flight field. Using his vast veteran experience, Boonen latched on to the Liquigas train down the stretch at TA and was able to overpower Daniele Bennati to win clear of the Italian. It was a landmark, confidence-building scalp for Boonen, and it will give him big confidence heading into the first monument of 2010, Milan-San Remo.

In his years as a professional, Tom Boonen has had an eventful and successful career marked by ups and downs. Despite these various speed bumps in his career though, the big Belgian has always managed to bounce back and make good on his promise as one of the world's best one day specialists. Today, more than ever he looks the part of top favorite, ready to assume the spot he lost in 2009, that of one of the fastest and most dangerous riders in the world. Now with a win in Italy ahead of one of the season's biggest goals, Boonen should be a tough out at MSR, especially considering he'll have a very strong team behind him.

Another scary proposition to think about is the fact that with a bit of luck Boonen could take two or more of the season's first three monuments. MSR has never been a race that perfectly suits Boonen, but he is flying thus far in the early season and looks to be in with as good a shot as in any previous year for MSR. For Flanders and Roubaix meanwhile he'll be as formidable as ever, a force on the cobbles with the know-how and raw power to dust the competition. Too, it should be noted that Boonen has not been defeated the past two full seasons at both Flanders and Roubaix. He did not win Flanders in either season, but his teammate Stijn Devolder did, whch is as good as a victory for Boonen and his Quick Step team.

It seems finally that Boonen has put his personal issues behind him and he seems singularly focused on winning bike races again. His team, as strong as ever an built to support him, is equally focused on delivering Boonen to the finish line victorious in as many races as possible throughout the rest of the season. An on-form Tom Boonen is bad news for the peloton, but an on-form, focused and committed Tom Boonen is a living nightmare for the elite pro ranks. And while Boonen may not win every race he aims for in 2010, initial returns suggest a windfall year for the Belgian in the world's biggest races for the remainder of the year.