ANTWERP, Belgium, April 15, 2008 (AFP) – Belgium’s 2005 world road race champion Tom Boonen said on Tuesday he was going to focus all his efforts on retaining his Tour de France green points jersey this year.

The 27-year-old fresh from winning his second Paris-Roubaix classic on Sunday said he was going to take around 10 days rest after Wednesday’s Escaut Grand Prix.

“I need to relax on the days following the Paris-Roubaix,” said Boonen, who has won six stages on the Tour de France. “You need to let the muscles relax after such a race.

“It is clear that I haven’t recovered completely after the tension of Sunday. It will take me some more time, that is normal.”

Boonen said that in order to win the green jersey on the Tour he would have to have a good first week.

“Now, the next big target, is the green jersey. All will depend on the first week. If I can collect enough points then there will be a good chance. After that, the world road race course at Varese (Italy) will suit me well.

“Certain riders said they have found it hard? You can never compare looking over a course with the race itself.”

Boonen is expected to compete in the Tour of Belgium and the Dauphine Libere after he has returned from his rest.