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1996 Results and Reports
Complete Route
Preview
PreviewWorld Cup champion Johan Museeuw of Belgium will start Sunday's Tour of Flanders despite a shoulder injury but has cautioned home fans not to expect him to win.Museeuw, who is attempting to become the first rider to win a hat-trick of World Cup titles, is still nursing the shoulder injury he picked up in the first race of this year's series, the Milan-San Remo, two weeks ago. After abandoning the E3-Harelbeke race in Belgium last weekend, Museeuw looked unlikely to start in Sunday's gruelling Flemish classic. But an aggressively ridden win in the Panne Three Days which ended on Thursday persuaded Museeuw he was ready to rejoin the Mapei team for Flanders, although he has told fans not to expect big things from him in the 256-km (160-mile) race. ``I haven't yet got the legs to win the Tour of Flanders,'' the 31-year-old told a news conference late on Thursday. Michele Bartoli (Maglificio MG) of Italy, last year's Flanders winner and currently fifth in the World Cup rankings, and Ukrainian Andrei Tchmil (Lotto) are rated favourites. MG Technogym's Fabio Baldato of Italy, second in the last two editions of the Tour of Flanders, is suffering flu and is unlikely to start. San Remo winner Erik Zabel of Germany is unlikely to repeat his performance on the climbs and cobbles of Flanders which favour individual or small breakaway groups. This year's route has been substantially altered so that the cobbled climb of the Old Kwaremont will be encountered 60 km (38 miles) from the finish rather than the 100 km (63 miles) of previous years. The new course takes the riders over 15 separate bone-rattling cobbled sections with a combined length of 15.7 km (9.8 miles) and 11 hills. World champion Johan Museeuw, robbed of victory by a mass pileup within sight of the finish in last month's Milan-San Remo, is favourite to become only the fourth man to notch up a hat-trick of victories in the Tour of Flanders on Sunday. The Belgian, who proved he had shaken off the effects of his Italian crash by winning the Trois Jours de la Panne on Thursday, rates Frenchman Laurent Jalabert, another victim of the Milan-San Remo pileup, his main rival. It is the first time the Frenchman has decided to race the 256km classic, second race in the World Cup series, which winds from Sint Niklaas to Meerbeke and takes in a series of daunting climbs over cobbled roads in the last 75kms. In the last five years Museeuw has won twice, 1993 and 1995, finished second twice and considers last year's third place a failure. He can again count on Italian team-mates Franco Ballerini and Andrea Tafi to hold off the challenge of Jalabert, Ukraine's Andrei Tchmil, Denmark's Rolf Sorensen, Germany's Erik Zabel, the 1996 Tour de France points winner who triumphed in the Milan-San Remo, Britain's Max Sciandri and Italy's Michele Bartoli, last year's winner. Sciandri and Bartoli will also be keen to make up for Milan-San Remo. Sciandri was dragged down in the crash while Bartoli finished fifth after setting up the sprint finish. Earlier Stories"Is Museeuw bluffing?" asked the headline in L'Equipe. After the arrival of yesterday's (April 1 -- note the date) first stage of the Three Days of De Panne, JOHAN MUSEEUW, still feeling the effects of the crash in Milano--San Remo said: "If, by tomorrow evening, I haven't recovered my pedalling strength, I will announce tomorrow at a press conference that I won't take part in either the Tour of Flanders or Paris--Roubaix."The world champion, who was complaining of violent headaches last weekend, had been alerted to his condition by blood tests that indicated serious muxcle wastage ["Une importante necrose de ses tissus musculaires"]. Yesterday, however, better news came from the Mapei team doctor, Yvan Vanmol, who said: "Over the last 48 hours, his condition has noticeably improved. He feels a lot better, even if he hasn't recovered his full strength, which is only to be expected given the violence of the shock. But he no longer suffers pain when he makes an effort, and that's already a good sign." But Museeuw still speaks of scratching from the cobbled classics. "It's true that I'm no longer in pain," he said, "but I've nothing in my legs. Under these circumstances I prefer to pull out of Flanders and Roubaix and get down to preparing seriously for Liege--Bastogne---Liege at the Tour of the Basque Country, starting next Monday." Another important Flanders contender, FABIO BALDATO, second last year to team-mate Michele Bartoli, will definitely not be at the start in Sint Niklaas on Sunday. Baldato started a fever last Sunday and has returned home to Veneto to recuperate. He is expected to return to racing in the Tour of the Basque Country (starting April 7) and is counting on riding Paris--Roubaix on April 13. Analysis of the RouteCompared to previous version of the Ronde van Vlaanderen, the route is changed quite a bit. The main modification is that the Oude Kwaremont is closer now to the finish, 60 km (previously 110 km). Between the Oude Kwaremont and the finish there are 8 more hills to conquer : Paterberg, Kortekeer, Taaienberg, Steneberg, Berendries, Tenbosse, Muur van Geraardsbergen and Bosberg. With nine climbs in the last 60 km, the final of the Ronde van Vlaanderen will be tougher than ever.Further, the part between 140 to 100 km from the finish is tough with some cobblestone sectios and hills : De Ast, Kattenberg, Leberg, Molenberg. Start is in Sint Niklaas, finish in Meerbeke. Hills like Kruisberg, Eikenberg and Varent are skipped this year. Short Summary of Route10:00h Start: St. Niklaas 0 km 10:38h Zelzate 26 km 12:41h Waregem 112 km 13:47h Oude Kwaremont 155 km 16:07h Muur van Geraardsbergen 251 km 16:31h Arrival Meerbeke 267 km HistoryThe Ronde van Vlaanderen was founded in 1913 by Karel van Wijnendaele and is known as the most important flemish classic race. The race was always characterized by cobblestone and short but steep climbs.Achiel Buysse, Fiorenzo Magni and Eric Leman each won the race 3 times. Johan Museeuw (2 wins) can add himself to these famous Flandriens. Past WinnersFirst Second Third 1913. Paul DEMAN (Bel) J.Van Daele (Bel) V.Doms (Bel) 1914. Marcel BUYSSE (Bel) H.Van Lerberghe (Bel) P.Van De Velde (Bel) 1919. Henri VAN LERBERGHE (Be) L.Buysse (Bel) J.Van Hevel (Bel) 1920. Jules VAN HEVEL (Bel) A.De Jonghe (Bel) A.Van Hecke (Bel) 1921. Rene VERMANDEL (Bel) J.Van Hevel (Bel) L.Budts (Bel) 1922. Leon DEVOS (Bel) J.Brunier (Fra) F.Pelissier (Fra) 1923. Henri SUTER (swi) C.De Ruyter (Bel) A.De Jonghe (Bel) 1924. Gerard DEBAETS (Bel) R.Vermandel (Bel) F.Sellier (Bel) 1925. Julien DELBECQUE (Bel) J.Pe (Bel) H.Martin (Bel) 1926. Denis VERSCHUEREN (Bel) G.Van Slembrouck(Bel) R.Decorte (Bel) 1927. Gerard DEBAETS (Bel) G.Van Slembrouck(Bel) M.Dewaele (Bel) 1928. Jan MERTENS (Bel) A.Mortelmans (Bel) L.De Lannoy (Bel) 1929. Jef DERVAES (Bel) G.Ronsse (Bel) A.Haemerlinck (Bel) 1930. Frans BONDUEL (Bel) A.Dossche (Bel) E.Joly (Bel) 1931. Romain GIJSSELS (Bel) C.Bogaert (Ned) J.Aerts (Bel) 1932. Romain GIJSSELS (Bel) A.Deloor (Bel) A.Haemerlinck (Bel) 1933. Alfons SCHEPERS (Bel) L.Tommies (Bel) R.Gijssels (Bel) 1934. Gaston REBRY (Bel) A.Schepers (Bel) F.Vervaecke (Bel) 1935. Louis DUERLOO (Bel) E.Meulenberg (Bel) C.Leemans (Bel) 1936. Louis HARDIQUEST (Bel) E.De Caluwe (Bel) F.Neuville (Bel) 1937. Michel D'HOOGHE (Bel) H.Deltour (Bel) L.Hardiquest (Bel) 1938. Edgard DE CALUWE (Bel) S.Maes (Bel) M.Kint (Bel) 1939. Karel KAERS (Bel) R.Maes (Bel) W.Vissers (Bel) 1940. Achiel BUYSSE (Bel) G.Christiaens (Bel B.Schotte (Bel) 1941. Achiel BUYSSE (Bel) G.Van Overloop (Bel) O.Van Den Meerschaut (Bel) 1942. Briek SCHOTTE (Bel) G.Claes (Bel) R.Van Eenaeme (Bel) 1943. Achiel BUYSSE (Bel) A.Sercu (Bel) K.Beeckman (Bel) 1944. Rik VAN STEENBERGEN (Be) B.Schotte (Bel) J.Moerenhout (Bel) 1945. Sylvain GRYSOLLE (Bel) A.Sercu (Bel) J.Moerenhout (Bel) 1946. Rik VAN STEENBERGEN (Be) L.Thietard (Fra) B.Schotte (Bel) 1947. Emiel FAIGNAERT (Bel) R.Desmet (Bel) H.Renders (Bel) 1948. Briek SCHOTTE (Bel) A.Ramon (Bel) M.Rijckaert (Bel) 1949. Fiorenzo MAGNI (Italy) V.Ollivier (Bel) B.Schotte (Bel) 1950. Fiorenzo MAGNI (Italy) B.Schotte (Bel) L.Caput (Fra) 1951. Fiorenzo MAGNI (Italy) B.Gauthier (Fra) A.Redolfi (Fra) 1952. Roger DECOCK (Bel) L.Petrucci (Italy) B.Schotte (Bel) 1953. Wim VAN EST (Ned) D.Keteleer (Bel) B.Gauthier (Fra) 1954. Raymond IMPANIS (Bel) F.Mahe (Fra) A.Van Den Brande (Bel) 1955. Louison BOBET (Fra) H.Koblet (swi) R.Van Steenbergen (Bel) 1956. Jean FORESTIER (Fra) S.Ockers (Bel) L.Van Daele (Bel) 1957. Fred DE BRUYNE (Bel) J.Planckaert (Bel) N.Kerckhove (Bel) 1958. Germain DERIJCKE (Bel) W.Truye (Bel) A.Conterno (Italy) 1959. Rik VAN LOOY (Bel) F.Schoubben (Bel) G.Desmet (Bel) 1960. Arthur DE CABOOTER (Bel) J.Graczyk (Fra) R.Van Looy (Bel) 1961. Tom SIMPSON (gbr) N.Defilippis (Italy) J.De Haan (Ned) 1962. Rik VAN LOOY (Bel) M.Van Aerde (Bel) N.Kerckhove (Bel) 1963. Noel FORE (Bel) F.Melckenbeeck (Bel) T.Simpson (gbr) 1964. Rudi ALTIG (frg) B.Beheyt (Bel) J.De Roo (Ned) 1965. Jo DE ROO (Ned) W.Sels (Bel) G.Vanconingsloo (Bel) 1966. Ward SELS (Bel) A.Durante (Italy) G.Vandenberghe (Bel) 1967. Dino ZANDEGU (Italy) N.Fore (Bel) E.Merckx (Bel) 1968. Walter GODEFROOT (Bel) R.Altig (Ger) J.Janssen (Ned) 1969. Eddy MERCKX (Bel) F.Gimondi (Italy) M.Basso (Italy) 1970. Eric LEMAN (Bel) W.Godefroot (Bel) E.Merckx (Bel) 1971. Evert DOLMAN (Ned) F.Kerremans (Bel) C.Guimard (Fra) 1972. Eric LEMAN (Bel) A.Dierickx (Bel) F.Verbeeck (Bel) 1973. Eric LEMAN (Bel) F.Maertens (Bel) E.Merckx (Bel) 1974. Cees BAL (Ned) F.Verbeeck (Bel) (2)* 1975. Eddy MERCKX (Bel) F.Verbeeck (Bel) M.Demeyer (Bel) 1976. Walter PLANCKAERT (Bel) F.Moser (Italy) M.Demeyer (Bel) 1977. Roger DE VLAEMINCK (Bel) (3)* (3)* 1978. Walter GODEFROOT (Bel) M.Pollentier (Bel) G.Braun (Ger) 1979. Jan RAAS (Ned) M.Demeyer (Bel) D.Willems (Bel) 1980. Michel POLLENTIER (Bel) F.Moser (Italy) J.Raas (Ned) 1981. Hennie KUIPER (Ned) F.Pirard (Ned) J.Raas (Ned) 1982. Rene MARTENS (Bel) E.Planckaert (Bel) R.Pevenage (Bel) 1983. Jan RAAS (Ned) L.Peeters (Bel) M.Sergeant (Bel) 1984. Johan LAMMERTS (Ned) S.Kelly (Ire) J.Vandenbroucke (Bel) 1985. Eric VANDERAERDEN (Bel) P.Anderson (Aust) H.Kuiper (Ned) 1986. Adri VAN DER POEL (Ned) S.Kelly (Ire) J.Vandenbrande (Bel) 1987. Claude CRIQUIELION (Bel) S.Kelly (Ire) E.Vanderaerden (Bel) 1988. Eddy PLANCKAERT (Bel) P.Anderson (Aust) A.Van Der Poel (Ned) 1989. Edwig VAN HOOYDONCK (Be) H.Frison (Bel) D.Lauritzen Nor) 1990. Moreno ARGENTIN (Italy) R.Dhaenens (Bel) J.Talen (Ned) 1991. Edwig VAN HOOYDONCK (Be) J.Museeuw (Bel) R.Soerensen (Den) 1992. Jacky DURAND (Fra) T.Wegmueller (swi) E.Van Hooydonck (Bel) 1993. Johan MUSEEUW (Bel) F.Maassen (Ned) D.Bottaro (Italy) 1994. Gianni BUGNO (Italy) J.Museeuw (Belgium) A.Tchmil (Ukr) 1995. Johan MUSEEUW (Belgium) F.Baldato (Italy) A.Tchmil (Ukr) 1996. Michele BARTOLI (Italy) F.Baldato (Italy) J.Museeuw (Belgium) (1) Reybrouck (2nd) disqualified (doping). (2) Godefroot (3rd) disqualified (doping). (3) Walter Planckaert (2nd) and Guy Sibille (3rd) disqualified (doping). |
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