79th Ronde van Vlaanderen 1995 / Tour of Flanders (Belgium)

Museeuw Launches on the Muur

An early attack outside the village of Eeklo just over 40 km into the race saw a four rider breakaway form. Tom Steele, Andrea Tafi, Fabio Roscioli, and Gianvito Martinelli earned a 5 minute advantage before mishaps split the group. First Steele and Martinelli suffered punctures and lost contact. Then Tafi set a pace on the Cote de Trieu that Roscioli could not follow. Tafi continued alone with the hardest part of the race still to come.

A solo Tafi was no match for the charging peloton and he was caught in Zottegem. The lead group now contained 20 riders. Misfortune hit young Belgian Johan Museeuw when he punctured with 53 kms to the finish. Down but not out Museeuw chased hard for the next 12 kms to reconnect with the leaders. 

Mapei-GB leading Museeuw up the Paterberg

There were now 41 kms to go and just as Museeuw returned to the group, Fabio Baldato launched an attack. Tired but attentive a solo Museeuw went after and caught Baldato on the climb of the Tenbossestrasse in Brakel. 

The two leaders blew into Geraardsbergen and set up for the cobblestone climb of the MUUR! A very strong Museeuw dropped his breakaway companion over the top of the Muur de Grammont and opened a 1’30” advantage 4 km later on the Bosberg. Johan Museeuw rolled across the finish line in Meerbeke/Ninove to claim an impressive Ronde victory.

A solo Museeuw win Flanders!!!

"I had a super day," said Museeuw, "This was one of the greatest days of my career."

RVV 1994

RVV 1996

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