Belgian Tom Boonen confirmed himself as heir to compatriot Johan Museeuw, when he won his first major classic the Tour of Flanders.

Museeuw, who retired last year, was considered one of the finest one-day specialists over the past decade.

Boonen, 24, says he is a different rider from his former team-mate, who finished on the Tour of Flanders podium nine times, but conceded Museeuw's advice had helped when it mattered on Sunday.

"I have heard people talking about the Tour of Flanders since I was a kid and I was dreaming of one day winning it on my own," Boonen said.

"I'm very proud to have remembered what Johan Museeuw told me once - that you can only attack once in the Tour of Flanders.

"That's what I did."

Boonen, from the Antwerp region, came to Museeuw's attention in 2002 when he finished third in the Paris-Roubaix race, the most gruelling classic on the calendar, in his first year as a professional.