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Boonen aims to keep Flanders title
 Boonen has worn his world champions' jersey with much aplomb this season. BRUGES, Belgium -- World champion Tom Boonen will aim to become the first rider in 34 years to win successive Tour of Flanders races on Sunday. While the Belgian was downplaying his chances of repeating Erik Leman's 1972 feat, none of his rivals will underestimate Boonen's chances of winning the arduous 258km ProTour event. "I will be the leader of the team... but other riders in my squad are also capable of winning," said the Belgian. Boonen earmarked team mates Filippo Pozzato of Italy, who recently won the Milan-San Remo Classic, Nick Nuyens of Belgium and Italian Paolo Bettini as candidates for victory. However, on current form, Boonen is likely to cross the line first. The Quick Step rider's remarkable 'double' last year, clinching first Flanders and then the equally prestigious Paris-Roubaix event, are just part of the 25-year-old's credentials for a repeat win this Sunday. This year Boonen has claimed 11 victories, the latest the E3-Harelbeke race, considered a 'mini' Tour of Flanders, just six days ago. Rumors of Boonen suffering an untimely cold were sparked when he failed to start the second last stage of the Three Days of La Panne event, a warm-up race for Flanders, last week. However, Boonen has fiercely denied such stories, saying "I'm in such good condition, there was no point in taking any risks." With the strongest rider for Flanders backed by the strongest team, Boonen's challengers face an uphill task on the race's 17 short but painfully steep climbs. 
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