Tour de France green jersey winner to skip 08 Olympics

BRUSSELS, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Tour de France green jersey winner Tom Boonen said Friday that he will skip the Beijing Olympic Games since it's too soon after the Tour.

The Belgian, who won the world championship in 2005, was interviewed by Reuters television in Kortrijk, Belgium and said to rule himself out of August's grand sports events.

"It is not so bad for those trying to win the Tour as they are in good shape at the end, but not for riders like me ... It is just too early after the Tour," Boonen said.

He would be expected to make an appearance for Belgium in Olympic Games, but cited the tight schedule as an excuse.

"For us (cyclists) the Tour De France is the big event with the world championships and the Olympics somewhere in between," said the 27-year-old best sprinter in last year's Tour.

"I want to go at least once (to the Olympics) and yes, I would like to win a gold medal for Belgium. Of course I also have to remember I don't have so many chances left in my career. But maybe next time."