Johan Museeuw
Johan Museeuw
The original Lion of Flanders, Johan Museeuw in his prime was a monster who would simply overpower anyone in his way. Originally a sprinter, Museeuw grew into a Classics specialist as he matured, adding stamina to his already formidable top-end power.
Museeuw was one of the prototypical Classics hard men, to the point where he somehow managed to look tough even when wearing the crazy colours of mid-90s Mapei. But it goes to show that even in that all-conquering Italian squad that contained riders like Michele Bartoli, Andrea Tafi and Franco Ballerini – all of whom won Monuments during exceptional careers – nobody questioned Museeuw’s status as the number one.
He first won the Ronde van Vlaanderen in 1993, his first Monument victory, in a two-up sprint with Frans Maassen, before losing out to Gianni Bugno in another sprint the following year. He won two more Rondes and added the first of his three Paris-Roubaix titles in 1996.
But 1998 was a defining year for Museeuw, as he suffered a horrific crash in the Arenberg Forest during Paris-Roubaix and shattered his knee, costing him the race. But the drama didn’t end there, as his wound became gangrenous and Museeuw almost lost the leg. But remarkably, even though his career came extremely close to being over, he fought back and, in 2000, came back to Roubaix and won the race. After another win in 2002, Museeuw wanted to equal Roger de Vlaeminck’s record of four Paris-Roubaix victories but his bid ended with a flat while riding in the winning break in 2004. He ended his own career three days later after riding Grote Scheleprijs.
On top of his six Monuments, Museeuw won Amstel Gold in 1994, was crowned world champion in Lugano in 1996 and claimed another 11 victories in the various semi-Classics scattered throughout March.