1996 Paris-Roubaix

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

What's not shown is that a half-hour before this these three had broken away mostly behind Museeuw's power and were going to finish 1-2-3. Word was sent from Mapei-GB owner Giorgio Squinzi to Patrick Lefevere that Johan was to win. There was some discussion with the team car, but not once did Bartolomi or Tafi protest or complain because they knew how much work Johan had done here, and in other races. I think most believe Museeuw would have out-sprinted them both anyway.

[@Sabre264]

what a finish, brings a tear to a glass eye

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

At least Museeuw had the guts to confess, unlike so many others who doped way more than he ever did during those times. He was a great racer before EPO even came along anyway.

[@plonzzz]

Museeuw was de beste klassieke renner in de jaren ´90, no doubt about it! :)

[@drunkensailor112]

I was 10 and I never forgot about this race.

[@8MDV8]

This is probarly the most classic Paris Roubaix ever. I hoped Ballerini would win btw. I was 6 when I saw this and still remember it!

[@InsaneGuitarGenius]

As for the naysayers complaining about doping - EVERYONE WAS DOPING AT THIS TIME! It doesn't make it right, but - that was the level playing field.

[@griffin2355]

No it wasn't even. Mapei had the money and doctors. Therefore the best blooddoping system. Give me a break. Four Riders from the same team don't just right off the front like that. That's an unbelievable feat.

[@davianlomboan2397]

Doping made the races more exciting tbh.

[@rissipenv]

"Museew is making a move, or is it just me who gets excited" xD

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Yes, but he'd definitely not the only one.

[@reespeer]

a structural epo system of a whole team , lead by Patrick Lefevre.. Still quick step manager !

[@mattsnow81]

@MacTobey Yes, 1-2-3, Gewiss Balan on the Fleche Wallone, but like 10 years ago.

[@KuumahBE]

Jesus, these people know nothing about cycling, one of the most beautiful finishes in Paris-Roubaix, that I've seen. Those two were working for Museeuw, so of course Museeuw has to win it.

[@FoolioBeardy]

They finished 1-2-3. They're going to be remembered FOREVER.

[@NullUnit2]

no team has ever dominated the classics like that Mapei team did.

[@grilled15]

All of these guys, completely and utterly doped to the gills. Msr. Ferrari had a had in this one.

[@stekhouse]

great team and great fair play :D

[@Gellal]

What a great team was Mapei...

[@sisyphus969]

Johan, still the man - if he hadn't cracked his knee open and crashed on his motorcycle i am sure he would have won it a forth time

[@MacTobey]

has there ever been another 1-2-3 by the same team in recent cycling history?

[@Obxfan-kr6nj]

1998 1999 2001 Paris Roubaix

[@vlado29]

And welcome the clean peloton era of 2022, with UAE and Jumbo-Visma getting each 1-2-3 within one week :)

[@Sammyfest]

Holy awesome scene!

[@rcspaintserviceandgaming]

How did this happend?

[@leonardofabbri7930]

they were better doped than any other team, similar as Gewiss Ballan at Flecha Wallone 1994. And you know what happened few years later, when Mapei team was in first lane to use Marco as scapegoat for the whole context at Giro 1999. Clowns.

[@DEXTER941]

I couldn't agree more, this would turn you off cycling, pity commentators can't find the courage to talk up and say "sorry but isn't this supposed to be a race". If Sean Kelly had been there at the finish and been on the Mapei team, there no way Kelly would have handed a prestigious classic like Paris-Roubaix to Museeuw like this, absolute disgrace to cycling and competition in general. Actually this was the race that put me off cycling altogether.

[@sdmsrobotics]

museeuw is such a beast

[@ritchan1]

I would have challenged for the win even if I was kicked off the team. I bet you the guys who came 2nd and 3rd wish they did know. Who cares if you're kicked off the team, if you win Paris roubaix you will be remembered for generations and will make way more money then the salary your on for that year.

[@kurtlecluse2009]

If they didn't do what the boss says, they don't ride a race for the time of there contract. And Musseeuw was the best sprinter. No war in the team, we win together.

[@paolobignardi2131]

Tafi wanted to fight for the win, but at the end he accepted the orders, anyway he won that race 3 years later 1999

[@parkerhunt7826]

NO you do what the Boss tells you to do. Museeuw is the team leader. Violate the rules and steal the win and you don't ride and your never trusted again. These guys are all just Class. That lap of honor is Iconic. They will be watching that finish 100 years from now.

[@runtomarathon3866]

You would never get a contract on any other team if you did that. You do as the boss tells you in cycling.

[@mattsnow81]

poor commentators are getting out of breath thinking they're gonna sprint lol

[@Watchdog86]

No, Museeuw and Tafi never had anything to do with Ferrari, only Bortolami was a client.

[@slashguns88]

3 MAPEI sul podio, che grande squadra che era

[@calipsofacto9760]

DESCONOCIA ESTE TRIPLETE!!!!!!!!!,ME ACORDABA DE QUE TAFI GANO LA PARIS Y QUE LLEGABA SOLO,LUEGO SUS COMPAÑEROS DE EQUIPO(1999) AGRANDA LA LEYENDA DEL MAPEI!!!!!

[@espada9]

Mapai, best team EVER!

[@drunkensailor112]

actually tafi and especially bortolami was in outrage over the decision. that's why bortolami also left the team

[@davd1986]

Armstrong??

[@parkerhunt2383]

More than that if you dont follow orders no one trusts you ever again. Should have let them race but they want Johan. Tafi would later be penalised for cheating but it was for cortisone when he was being treated for a knee. Dont think he was implicated in EPO. My pick for the sprint was the Italian Bortolami (sp)

[@davd1986]

No, I know he definitely isn't the only one, but I am a bit disappointed he got away with it, has garnered so much money, has lied about it so often and unlike so many riders before and especially during and after his era, have either tested positive, have retired due to testing positive, have come forward to aknowledge they doped, have been sent to jail, have paid fines, have been bombarded by their own countries, have been embroiled in one or two 'operations,' or all of the above. Smh.

[@DEXTER941]

Maybe you are right, maybe Kelly would have obeyed team orders and let Museeuw win if he was on his team but the fact is this is supposed to be a race, when the three of them were far ahead of the rest then the team manager should have said fight it out for the win and let the best man win, this type of finish is not right. I don't watch a bike race to see three guys virtually hugging each other coming across the finish line, what a joke of a race this was.

[@jjashik7]

What, you think the others aren't on EPO too? They just had the best riders on the best drug with the best doctor (see Museeuw's trial). It was the culture then...It's one thing to call the whole world of pro racing a cheat, but to point out just the winner (or winning team) is myopic.

[@flachi32]

1st, doper 2nd, doper; 3rd, doper

[@deadwoodmountain]

Ik moet er niet aan denken! Veel te veel werk, al doe ik die P-R afstand in mijn auto......

[@Xavierthegreat666]

Yuo, no way they would have won against him

[@deadwoodmountain]

EPO all the way...The Liar of Flanders.

[@brilleaben]

But... Boonen is clean!

[@hieltjas]

Good thing epo/doping controlles where not so intensive those days, els the compleet mapei team would have been banned for life !

[@enricopasquinelli]

Pochi discorsi: ci voleva una volata a tre e basta...

[@rainbiker420]

but they were all dopers!!!!!!

[@TwoWheelWarrior]

They should of fought it out.

[@sprintbass]

i didnt like this race it was obviously planned i dont understand why museeuw needed the race handed to him

[@vakletudo]

Aqui iban de EPO HASTA EL CULO

[@Prometheus4096]

Disgraceful cheating.

[@perrybrown7650]

Bunch o' fu&%ing dopers.