Seeking a record fifth victory, Tom Boonen will take the start of the 2017 Paris-Roubaix knowing that whatever happens he'll cease to be a professional cyclist when he crosses the line in the famous velodrome.
But, for the next few days at least, the Quick-Step Floors rider is still every bit the pro and that includes the media obligations that come with being at the centre of the Roubaix circus.
Somewhere in there you'll find Tom Boonen
Speaking away from the melee, Boonen spoke to a small group brought together by his bike sponsor Specialized, but he was still keeping his cards close to his chest.
Asked about his plans after his first week away - when he plans to recover from a hangover and then relax with a newspaper - the 36-year-old would not be drawn on his exact life away from the WorldTour.
'I don’t know. That’s why I don’t answer yet. There are a lot of things on the table right now.
'Give me a few months off. We’ll see in September,' he said.
Still clearly in the mindset of being a professional cyclist, which is now his preset having turned pro in 2002, Boonen was reluctant to let what happens next mix with what's happening now.
'If you have to make a decision [during] this period in the year; now you are focused to the race, you’re still a bike rider in your head and once you stop for a while you notice, alright I’m kinda missing racing.
'I want to go to races, and then you try to fill in the empty spots where they need you; when you feel useful and then maybe they will find a job for me in cycling.'
But he reiterated: 'I don’t know yet.'