By Marianne Werz O'Brien and Janna Trevisanut
Chasing Records
Last year Peter Van Petegem bested fellow Belgian Frank Vandenbroucke to win
the Tour of Flanders. Van Petegem has won Flanders twice (1999, 2003). Only 4 men have won
the Tour of Flanders three times - Achiel Buysse, Fiorenzi Magni, Eric Leman,
and Johan Museeuw. Will Van Petegem join the club this year?
Peter van Petegem in 2003. Courtesy Ronde van Vlaanderen.
Now in his final pro season, the Lion of Flanders Johan Museeuw will be
looking to go out with a roar. He wants to taste victory here again and become
the first man ever to win Flanders four times.
Belgians Johan Museeuw (1993, 1995, 1998), Eric Leman (1970, 1972, 1973),
Achiel Buysse (1940, 1941, 1943) and Italy's Fiorenzo Magni (1949, 1950, 1951)
are the joint record holders.
This Sunday, Museeuw chases yet another record. The 38-year-old Quick-Step
rider can overtake fellow countryman Briek Schotte in the list of most podium
finishes. Both riders have finished in the top three of
the Ronde van Vlaanderen eight times - see below.
Museeuw in 2000. Courtesy Ronde van Vlaanderen.
Does De Panne Pave the Way?
George Hincapie won the Three Days of De Panne on Thursday, and according to
Io Tifo Tafi webmaster Tony Szurly's
research:
If you look at the 3 Days of DePanne as a predictor of success at both the
Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix, recent history suggests that perennial Daily
Peloton favorite George Hincapie could be poised to mount the podium in one of
these two prestigious races.
Since 1990, 66% of the podium finishers at the 3 Days of DePanne race have
also made the podium at either the Ronde or Roubaix.
Even more encouraging for George, over the last seven years a rider making
the podium at DePanne has made the podium in either the Ronde or Roubaix in the
next two weeks a whopping 85% of the time.
Ronde van Vlaanderen - Most Wins
# of Wins, Rider, Nation, Year
3 - Johan Museeuw BEL 1993, 1995, 1998
3 - Achiel Buysse BEL 1940, 1941, 1943
3 - Fiorenzo Magni ITA 1949, 1950, 1951
3 - Eric Leman BEL 1970, 1972, 1973
2 - Peter Van Petegem BEL 1999, 2003
2 - 9 other riders with 2 wins
Ronde van Vlaanderen - Most Podium Finishes
# of Wins, Rider, Nation, Year/Podium Ranking
8 - Johan Museeuw BEL 1991 (2), 1993 (1), 1994 (2), 1995 (1), 1996 (3),
1998 (1), 1999 (3), 2002 (2)
8 - Briek Schotte BEL 1940 (3), 1942 (1), 1944 (2), 1946 (3), 1948 (1), 1949 (3),
1950 (2), 1952 (3)
5 - Eddy Merckx BEL 1967 (3), 1969 (1), 1970 (3), 1973 (3), 1975 (1)
4 - Jan Raas NED 1979 (1), 1980 (3), 1981 (3), 1983 (1) 4 - Andrei Tchmil BEL 1994 (3), 1995 (3), 1998 (3), 2000 (1)
Thanks to Infostrada Sports
for the win and podium ranking information.
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