Johan Museeuw - Biography

Biography

Museeuw's father Eddy rode as a pro for two seasons without much success. Johan started his professional career in 1988 with ADR. In 1989 he was part of the ADR team in which Greg LeMond won his second Tour de France. In 1990 Museeuw went to the Lotto team for which he won two stages in the Tour de France that year. Later on he rode for the MG-GB, Mapei, Domo-Farm Frites and Quick-Step. He ended his career in the spring of 2004.

Starting as a sprinter, Museeuw won the final stage of his first Tour de France in 1990. He subsequently traded his powerful sprint for more endurance and stamina that allowed him to win the spring classics such as Paris–Roubaix and the Ronde van Vlaanderen. While his attempt to set a new record by winning both races four times failed, he holds the record for the number of combined podium places in those races. He is often compared to other Flemish spring classics specialists such as Roger de Vlaeminck. He has a special friendship with current Quickstep team manager Patrick Lefevere (formerly of Mapei and Lotto-Domo) who admitted that he treats all his riders the same, but Museeuw has a special place in his heart.

One week after winning the 1998 Ronde van Vlaanderen, Museeuw had a terrible fall in Paris–Roubaix (Bois de Wallers) in which his knee was shattered. On top of this came a dangerous infection which almost caused him to lose the injured leg. He fought back and resumed cycling after a long healing process. A couple of years later, he was again injured in a motor cycle accident. His dogged determination and powerful riding style won him legions of fans all over the world, but he is especially popular in his native Flanders, and was nicknamed Lion of Flanders. Upon crossing the finish line in victory in the 2000 Paris–Roubaix, he lifted his left foot and pointed at his knee as a reminder of the injury that almost ended his career two years earlier.

Towards the end of his career, he acted as a mentor to Tom Boonen.

In his last Classic race the 2004 Paris–Roubaix he punctured while riding in the winning break, losing his last chance of equaling the record of four wins. He finished in tears in fifth place with his long-time rival Peter Van Petegem sixth. Johan's last race was the Grote Scheldeprijs held in his native Flanders on 14 April 2004. It was won by his team mate Tom Boonen. He "won" a tribute race on 2 May in his home town Gistel. After his retirement, Museeuw took up a non-riding position with Quickstep Innergetic.

In 2003 a doping allegation surfaced in which Museeuw was implicated. In January 2007, Museeuw gave a press conference in Kortrijk, revealing that he had "not been completely honest in my last year as a pro, as I wanted to end my career in style", and announcing his resignation from Quickstep Innergetic. On 24 January 2007 Museeuw confessed to these charges. Reports insinuated his using human growth hormone which he obtained from a Belgian vet Jose Landuyt. The police authorities claimed that Museeuw purchased banned substances and recorded phone conversations that spoke of wasps a codeword for Aranesp, a synthetic drug which increases red blood cell levels. Despite the absence of direct evidence, it was ruled in 2004 that there was sufficient argument for his athletic suspension.

In December 2008 Museeuw was convicted of doping offences by a Belgian Court. He was sentenced to ten months imprisonment (suspended) and ordered to pay a fine of 2500 Euro. Jose Landuyt was given a 12 month suspended sentence and the same fine.

More recently, Johan has begun marketing his own brand of frames (made in Poland) from a combination of carbon fibre and flax.

In 2009 Museeuw left his wife and two children and moved in with his new girlfriend Ilse, who previously had a relationship with cyclist Jo Planckaert. Planckaert was involved in the same doping affair as Museeuw.