“The last few weeks it has been a rollercoaster of emotions and everybody seems to just be enjoying every last minute of racing that I’ve been giving them, even if I didn’t win,” said the popular Quick Step leader.

“It was very difficult today, it was really hot.”

One-day specialist Boonen has claimed victory in many of the sport’s biggest races, being world champion in 2005, claiming the Tour de France green sprinters’ jersey in 2007 and earning seven ‘Monument’ titles (three at the Tour of Flanders and four at Paris-Roubaix).

And it was at the ‘Queen of the Classics’ that he ideally wanted to end his career.

“For me this is the best race in the world — I love it! And also it’s just time for me, I’ve been feeling it already since last year.

“I’m still able to do good races and if I motivate myself I’m still able to do a good World Championships, for example, but it’s time and I’m happy its finally here.”

Such is the high esteem in which Boonen is held that his Quick Step team dedicated their entire strategy to trying to help him win. Even Czech Zdenek Stybar, who was part of a three-man breakaway that would contest the victory, didn’t start thinking about his own chances until right at the end.

“Today we went just 100 percent for Tom. All the team was supporting him and everybody, out of our hearts wished he’s going to win — we did all we could to make it happen,” said Stybar, who finished second.

“Before the race I didn’t have the idea to ride for myself or sprint for the win. My biggest dream was to come with Tom here on the velodrome together.

“Of course I’m disappointed with second place but on the other hand I didn’t come here to go for the win. It was only in the last 4km that I heard on the radio: ‘OK, go for it’.” Stybar had taken second place two years ago as well and yet he never hesitated for a second to dedicate his efforts to helping Boonen’s ambitions.

“Tom’s a very special person, a very kind person, he’s very friendly — if you can you just do anything for him.

“I didn’t feel we have to, but we would give 100 percent for him because he deserves it.”

Now the king has retired, though, Belgium has a new regent in Van Avermaet, the Olympic champion. But the 31-year-old ruled out any hopes of matching Boonen’s incredible achievements.

“I looked yesterday to Wikipedia to see all his results — it’s incredible, he’s won four times here and a lot of big races,” said the new champion.

“I’m a different kind of rider, more a climber than a sprinter.

“Every guy makes his own career but to get the victories of Tom is going to be impossible because he has more than 100 and I have 31 now, so I still have a long way to go!”