Johan Museeuw

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Johan Museeuw
Johan Museeuw.jpg
Museeuw in 2006
Personal information
Full name Johan Museeuw
Nickname The Lion of Flanders
Born (1965-10-13) 13 October 1965 (age 58)
Varsenare, Belgium
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 79 kg (174 lb; 12.4 st)
Team information
Current team Retired
Discipline Road
Role Rider
Rider type Classics specialist
Professional team(s)
1988-1989 ADRenting
1990-1992 Lotto
1993-1994 GB-MG
1994-2000 Mapei
2001-2002 Farm Frites
2003-2004 Quick Step
Major wins
Grand Tours
Tour de France
2 individual stages

One-day races and Classics

UCI Road World Championships: (1996)
UCI Road World Cup: (1995, 1996)
Tour of Flanders: (1993, 1995, 1998)
Paris–Roubaix: (1996, 2000, 2002)
Amstel Gold Race: (1994)
HEW Cyclassics: (2002)
Paris–Tours: (1993)
Züri-Metzgete: (1991, 1995)
National Road Race Championships (1992, 1996)

Johan Museeuw (born 13 October 1965 in Varsenare) is a retired Belgian professional road bicycle racer. He was a professional from 1988 to 2004 and was particularly successful in the classic cycle races in the nineties.

Early life and amateur career

Museeuw's father Eddy rode as a pro for two seasons without much success. As a junior and amateur, Museeuw did cyclo-cross in winter and had a few minor successes on the road.

Professional career

1988–1989: The early years

Johan Museeuw started his professional career in 1988 with ADR. In 1989 he was part of the ADR team with which Greg LeMond won his second Tour de France. During the Tour, Museeuw headed the peloton days on end for his team leader in the yellow jersey.[1]

1990–1992: Sprinter

In 1990 he signed for the Lotto team and won two stages in the 1990 Tour de France.[2] He won the uphill-sprint stage to Mont Saint-Michel and the final stage of the Tour in Paris, both in a mass sprint.[3]

In 1991 he won several stage wins in smaller stage races and in August he won the Championship of Zürich, his first win in a World Cup race. In 1992 he placed third in Milan–San Remo, winning the peloton sprint behind Sean Kelly and Moreno Argentin. He won E3 Harelbeke, his first cobbled semi-classic race win, and the Belgian national road race title in Peer. He was second in the final points classification of the 1992 Tour de France behind Frenchman Laurent Jalabert for the second time. He didn't win a stage, although he won every peloton sprint behind a group of escapees that year.[3]

1993–1994: First classics victories

In 1993 he moved to MG-GB, the team of manager Patrick Lefevere, with whom he developed a special friendship. With Lefevere, he converted from sprinter to a classics specialist. He traded his powerful sprint for more endurance and stamina that allowed him to compete in the spring classics, specializing in the cobbled classics Paris–Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. He had a strong spring campaign in 1993: after winning a stage in Paris–Nice and Dwars door Vlaanderen, he started as one of the favourites in the Tour of Flanders. Museeuw won the Tour of Flanders in a two-man sprint with Frans Maassen, taking his first win in a monument classic. In the 1993 Tour de France he placed second in the final points classification a third time, but he wore the jellow jersey two days after a strong prologue and team time trial. At the end of 1993, he won Paris–Tours, taking his third World Cup win.

In 1994 he won Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne and was in the front in all cobbled classics, but could win none. He narrowly missed his second victory in the Tour of Flanders, when he was beaten by Gianni Bugno in the sprint by 7 mm. One week later, in Paris–Roubaix, he was in a furious pursuit of Andrei Tchmil, but suffered a mechanical failure on the cobbles and finished 13th. He ultimately ended his spring campaign with a victory in the Amstel Gold Race in a two-man sprint with Italian Bruno Cenghialta, his fourth World Cup win. In the Tour de France, he wore the yellow jersey again for three days, before losing it to Miguel Indurain in the long time trial to Bergerac.

1995–1997: World Cup and World Champion

In 1995 his MG-GB team merged with Mapei-Clas, forming the strong Italian-Belgian Mapei team that dominated cycling's classic races in the 1990s. He won the 1995 Tour of Flanders, earning him the nickname The Lion of Flanders in the Flemish media.[4] Later he won the Championship of Zürich and won the final standings of the World Cup at the end of the year, confirming his status as the best one-day classic rider of the year.[5]

Museeuw in the rainbow jersey in 1997

In 1996 he won the Brabantse Pijl,[6] but was third in the Tour of Flanders after suffering mechanical failure.[7] The next week, he finally took his first victory in Paris–Roubaix. His Mapei-GB team dominated the race and Museeuw arrived together with his Italian team-mates Gianluca Bortolami and Andrea Tafi on the velodrome in Roubaix.[8] Team manager Patrick Lefevere got the order by phone from the office of Mapei’s managing director, Giorgio Squinzi, that Museeuw needed to win the race.[9] In the summer he won his second Belgian national road race title, but again failed to win a stage in the Tour de France. After a disappointing performance in Paris–Tours, where he wanted to secure his overall lead in the World Cup,[10] he stated he intended to quit cycling altogether. He changed his mind and started the next week in the world championship road race, where he was not considered a favourite because of the mountainous course in Lugano. To the surprise of many, and on his 31st birthday, Museeuw became world champion after a long breakaway with Mauro Gianetti, beating the Swiss in a two-man sprint.[11] Subsequently he went on to win his second World Cup final standing.[12]

In 1997 Museeuw started the year with three stage wins in the Ruta del Sol [13] and Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne,[14] but failed to win another World Cup win. A crash in Milan–San Remo and the Tour of Flanders and a puncture in Paris–Roubaix prevented him from achieving success.[15][16][17] He finished sixth in Liège–Bastogne–Liège, his best result in the Ardennes classic.[18] He abandoned in the 18th stage of the Tour de France, in the rainbow jersey, after several unsuccessful attempts to win a stage in a breakaway.[19] He went on to defend his world title in San Sebastián, but missed the winning breakaway and finished eighth.[20]

1998–2000: Injury-ridden years

In 1998, one week after winning E3 Harelbeke and the Brabantse Pijl in the same weekend, he won the Tour of Flanders, thereby equaling the race's record of three wins. One week later, Museeuw made a horrific fall in Paris–Roubaix in the Trouée d'Arenberg of the Bois de Wallers pavé section, shattering his knee. On top came a dangerous gangreen infection which nearly forced doctors to amputate his left leg.[21] He fought back and resumed cycling after a long healing process, finishing third in the Tour of Flanders of 1999 and ninth in Paris–Roubaix, exactly one year after his horror crash. In 2000 he won Paris–Roubaix a second time after a 44 km solo.[22] Upon crossing the finish line in victory, he lifted his left foot and pointed at his knee as a reminder of the injury that almost ended his career two years earlier. Later that year, he was again injured in a motor cycle accident, causing a severe head trauma and several days in a coma. His dogged determination and powerful riding style won him legions of fans all over the world and made him all the more popular in his native Flanders.[21]

2001–2002: Domo-Farm Frites

Museeuw won the Hell of the North classic three times, arriving on the velodrome of Roubaix

In 2001 he moved with team manager Patrick Lefevere to Domo-Farm Frites, where he worked on his comeback after his second accident. He placed second in Paris–Roubaix and fifth in the Amstel Gold Race. He started a last time in the Tour de France, but abandoned in the Pyrenees stages.

In 2002 he was back on top of his game, with a second place in the Tour of Flanders and a third victory in Paris–Roubaix. His win in the Hell classic was his tenth victory in a World Cup race.[23] Later the same year he won the HEW Cyclassics in Hamburg, totaling 11 World Cup wins.

2003–2004: Final years

In 2003 he followed Lefevere to the newly set up Quick-Step team. He won the Omloop Het Volk early in the season, but an illness obstructed his preparation for the classics. Towards the end of his career, he acted as a mentor to Tom Boonen, who was widely considered to be Museeuw's successor as leading figure in the cobbled classics. In his last years as a professional he attempted to set a new record in the cobbled classics by winning both races four times, but failed. With six combined victories in the Tour of Flanders and Paris–Roubaix, he held the record of combined victories in these races until Boonen improved it.

Museeuw ended his career in the spring of 2004 after 17 years as a professional and 59 professional victories. In his last classic race, the 2004 Paris–Roubaix, he punctured 5 km before the finish while riding in the leading breakaway, thereby losing his last chance of equalling Roger De Vlaeminck's record of four wins. He finished in tears, in fifth place, together with his long-time rival Peter Van Petegem.[24][25] Museeuw's last race was three days later, the Scheldeprijs in Belgium on 14 April 2004, won by his young team mate Tom Boonen.[26] A farewell race was organized on 2 May in his home town Gistel. After his retirement, Museeuw took up a non-riding position with Quick Step-Innergetic.

Doping

In 2003 a doping allegation surfaced in which Museeuw was implicated. Press reports insinuated the use of human growth hormone which he obtained from veterinarian José Landuyt. Police authorities claimed that Museeuw had purchased banned substances in 2003. They recorded phone conversations between Museeuw and Landuyt speaking of wasps as a codeword for Aranesp, a synthetic hormone known to increase red blood cell levels. Despite the absence of direct evidence, it was ruled in 2004 that there was sufficient argument for his athletic suspension for two years and referral to the criminal court.

On 24 January 2007, Museeuw confessed to the charges in a press conference, revealing that he had "not been completely honest in his last year as a professional, as he wanted to end his career in style", and announcing his resignation from his Quick Step team.[27]

In December 2008 Museeuw was convicted of doping offences by a Belgian Court, together with former cyclists Jo Planckaert and Chris Peers who were involved in the same affair.[28] Museeuw was given a 10-month suspended sentence, a fine of 2.500 € and further litigations.[29]

In September 2012 Museeuw gave an interview for Flemish newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen, stating that "nearly every rider of his generation doped", thereby implicitly confessing to the true extent of his doping use. He also stated that he is convinced the current generation of riders is "the cleanest cycling has ever seen".[30][31]

Palmares

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1988
Grote Prijs Briek Schotte, Desselgem
1989
GP Deutsche Weinstrasse
Criterium Oostende
Criterium Deerlijk
5th stage Tour of Belgium
1990
3d stage Driedaagse van De Panne
1st stage Four Days of Dunkirk
1st stage Tour de l'Oise
3d stage Tour of Ireland, Nissan Classic
Tour de France
1st Stages 4 & 21
Dwars door de Morbihan
Criterium Aalst
Criterium Dilsen
Criterium Valkenswaard
Criterium Lichtervelde
1991
2nd stage Ruta Del Sol
5th stage Ruta Del Sol
5th stage Four Days of Dunkirk
3d stage Midi Libre
2nd stage Tour of Britain
3d stage Tour of Ireland, Nissan Classic
Züri-Metzgete
Championship of Flanders
Criterium De Haan
Criterium Deerlijk
Criterium Bavikhove
1992
5th stage Vuelta a Andalucía
1st stage Tour of Valencia
2nd stage Tour of Valencia
E3-Prijs Harelbeke
Criterium Bellegem
1st stage Bicicleta Vasca
2nd stage Ronde van de Mijnvalleien
Criterium Peer
Belgium Road Championship of Belgium
1993
GP Wielerrevue
4th stage Paris–Nice
Dwars door België
4th stage Hofbrau Cup
Tour of Flanders
1st stage Tour of Switzerland
Paris–Tours
Criterium Hengeloo
Criterium Bavikhove
1994
Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne
Amstel Gold Race
Criterium Made
Teleport Derny Amsterdam
Wielsbeke
8th stage Tour of Switzerland
Geraardsbergen
Druivenkoers Overijse
1995
Trofeo Laigueglia
Omloop de Vlaamse Ardennen, Ichtegem
Tour of Flanders
6th stage Four Days of Dunkirk
Four Days of Dunkirk
Züri-Metzgete
Druivenkoers Overijse
Grand Prix Eddy Merckx
Championship of Flanders
Criterium Bavikhove
Criterium Graz
UCI Road World Cup
1996
Brabantse Pijl
Paris–Roubaix
Omloop Mandel-Leie-Schelde
1st stage Tour of Puglia
Belgium Road Championship of Belgium
‹The template FlagiconUCI is being considered for deletion.› Arc en ciel.svg World Cycling Championship, Lugano
UCI Road World Cup
1997
Time trial Four Days of Dunkirk
Four Days of Dunkirk
2nd stage Ruta del Sol
4th stage Ruta del Sol
5th stage Ruta del Sol
Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne
Criterium Peer
Criterium Kortrijk
GP Breitling (with Camenzind)
Criterium Karlsruhe
Gala Tour de France
1998
E3-prijs Harelbeke
Brabantse Pijl
Tour of Flanders
1999
Dwars door België
Omloop Mandel-Leie-Schelde
Criterium Bavikhove
Grand Prix Briek Schotte, Desselgem
2000
Paris–Roubaix
Omloop "Het Volk"
Brabantse Pijl
2001
Dernycriterium Wilrijk
2002
1st stage Guldensporen Tweedaagse
Paris–Roubaix
Profronde van Made
3d stage Tour du Région wallonne
HEW Cyclassics Hamburg
Profronde van Almelo
2003
Omloop "Het Volk"
3d stage Tour of Denmark

Classics victories

Museeuw is the winner of 11 World Cup races, including six victories in "Monument" events:

He won the World Cup in 1995 & 1996. He became Belgian Champion in 1992 & 1996.

Museeuw won the World Cycling Championship in the road race in Lugano 1996. In that year, he also won the UCI Road World Cup, the only rider in history to accomplish both in the same year.

Museeuw also won the following classics and semi-classics:

Monuments results timeline

Monument 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Milan–San Remo — 9 — 3 32 12 12 8 40 36 — 15 80 — — —
Tour of Flanders 62 — 2 14 1 2 1 3 14 1 3 33 16 2 38 15
Paris–Roubaix — 12 16 7 4 13 3 1 3 DNF 9 1 2 1 33 5
Liège–Bastogne–Liège — — — 36 12 58 13 — 6 — — 90 DNF DNF — —
Giro di Lombardia — — — — — — — 13 — — — — — — — —

DNF = Did not finish
— = Did not compete

See also

References

  1. ↑ Vanwalleghem, Rik (2009), Museeuw spreekt. Van Leeuw Tot Prooi, Lannoo, Belgium, ISBN 978-9-020976-15-1, p11-13
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Museeuw convicted in doping case
  29. ↑ Vanwalleghem, Rik (2009), Museeuw spreekt. Van Leeuw Tot Prooi, Lannoo, Belgium, ISBN 978-9-020976-15-1, p72-80
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

Further reading

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External links

  • Johan Museeuw at Cycling ArchivesLua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 28: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
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