Tour of Flanders - Sunday, April 6th

Sunday, April 6th is the 92nd Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen) in Flanders, Belgium. This one-day race is noted for its many steep hills and cobblestone roads. It always takes place a week before Paris-Roubaix; both are considered among the major events on the European pro tour.

I always love these kinds of races; they produce some of cycling's most legendary performances. Belgian rider Johan Museeuw, known as the "Lion of Flanders," won the race three times between 1993 and 1998. If this video here-- one of my all time absolute favorites -- showing him in the 2002 Paris-Roubaix racing over the wet cobblestones with mud all over him, crazy fans jumping out in front of him, etc., as he took off on a 50 km solo attack doesn't capture the essence of a cycling race and the heart of a champion, I don't know what does.

"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross."

-Andrea Tafi (CSC) 2002 winner of the Tour of Flanders

Links

• Website: Tour of Flanders
  
• Website: Paris-Roubaix
  
• Coverage of the races on the web:
  
  • Tour of Flanders on Versus Network - listed for 5 pm EDT, Sunday April 6th
    
  • Other cycling coverage on Cycling.TV