nice Velonews article about Museeuw and the two great one day classics this weekend and next...
Friday's EuroFile: Museeuw cagey about Flanders chances; O'Grady hopeful; Cipo' pulls out
By VeloNews Interactive
Copyright AFP2004
This report filed April 2, 2026
The Lion of Flanders in last year's Ronde
Cycling's most successful ever one-day rider - Johan Museeuw, the "Lion of Flanders" - will continue winding down his lengthy career on the second race of the 10-leg World Cup here on Sunday.
Museeuw, who is gunning for a record fourth victory in the 88th Tour of Flanders before he retires after the GP de l'Escaut on April 14, admits that as he approaches hanging up his bike for good, what should be his final roar on the "Ronde" could turn out to be more of a whimper.
The 38-year-old Belgian conceded this week that his failing legs "on the harder climbs" mean he could end up playing a support role for Quick Step teammates Paolo Bettini or young countryman Tom Boonen.
"I have doubts about myself," said Museeuw at the Three Days of La Panne race in midweek. "I'm not as explosive as I was. Even forcing on the climbs is harder. I could end up playing a support role in the finale for Boonen and Bettini."
Whether he's bluffing or not, it's not the kind of pre-race talk the Lion's legions of fans like to hear. Nevertheless, the reality is that Museeuw will have to raise his game if he is to ward off the likes of the 2003 champion, fellow Belgian Peter Van Petegem (Lotto).
"Van Petegem can deal with the pressure of the race. You don't see him in the race, and then he attacks from out of nowhere," said Museeuw, the winner here in 1993, 1995 and 1998. "He has been strong in recent races and is certainly one of the favorites." Add American George Hincapie (U.S. Postal) and a host of top Dutch and Belgian contenders to the chase and the Lion's chances of moving in for the kill seem diminished.
Coming a week before Paris-Roubaix - the world's most famous race after the Tour de France - the Tour of Flanders is for many riders, including Hincapie, just as important a race as the "Hell of the North."
"In the United States no one knows the Tour of Flanders, it's Paris-Roubaix that everyone talks about," said Hincapie, who got his first taste of classics success after winning Ghent-Wevelgem in 2001.
A year later, the New Yorker's fourth-place finish in the Ronde confirmed his ability to compete ably in the tough one-day races, and since then he's been on a mission.
"I really love these kind of races," added Hincapie. "I feel right at home here."
Despite his lack of a World Cup win, Hincapie's victory on Thursday in the Three Days of La Panne was perhaps a sign of things to come. However, the American says he is keeping all thoughts of victory safely stashed away.
"Sunday will be a different race altogether, and there will be men like Museeuw or Van Petegem who have a lot more experience than me in that kind of race," said Hincapie, who often trains on the tight and winding cobbled roads in the area. "I've never won a World Cup event, so how can I compare myself to them?"
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Posted - 04/02/2004 : 8:33:46 PM
