Museeuw Celebrates a Birthday in Style!
October 13, 1965 in Varsenare, Belgium Johan Museeuw was born. October 13,1996 Museeuw celebrated his 31st birthday with a victory in the World Road Race Championships in Lugano, Switzerland.
SPECIAL NOTE: Leading up to the event Museeuw thought the race course, 252 km 15 laps of 16.8 km circuit around the hills of Lugano, was too hard and nearly did not start the race.
Museeuw and Mauro Gianetti (Sui) broke away on the final lap of the race and were never seriously challenged again.
The duo rolled into the final kilometer and began a “cat and mouse” dance. Museeuw continually look over his shoulder waiting for the Italian to jump. When the move came Museeuw exploded and crossed the finish line to gain the 1996 Rainbow Jersey.
WCRR October 13, 1996 |
252 Km [ Lugano, Switzerland ] |
1.
Johan MUSEEUW (Bel) 6h23’50” |
2.
Mauro Gianetti (Sui) +1” |
3.
Michele Bartoli (Ita) +29” |
Starters: 151 |
Finishers: 49 |
Average Speed: 39.390 km/h |
WCRR 1995
WCRR 1997
Return to the Timeline ToC
Return to the Race Snippets ToC |