78th Ronde van Vlaanderen 1994 / Tour of Flanders (Belgium)

Bugno by a Millimeter

The famed Oude Kwaremont was the launching pad for the first successful breakaway in 1994. After a hard crash by German Olaf Ludwig delayed half the peloton, Johan Capiot set the pace up the Kwaremont. Capiot escaped with Guido Bontempi, Dario Bottaro, Fabio Rosciali and Eddy Schurer. With the peloton shattered an eighteen rider group eventually formed at the front of the race.

The fast pace across the cobbled climbs was taking its toll. Guido Bontempi opened up the race with 28 kms to go.  Quickly Johan Museeuw and Andrei Tchmil caught and countered the move. Franco Ballerini, Capiot, and Gianni Bugno joined the new leaders. As the climb of the Muur de Geraardsbergen approached Johan Capiot took the lead. Over the Muur (aka Muur de Grammont) Capiot faded and was dropped by the Museeuw group. 

In the closing kilometers Ballerini tried an unsuccessfully attack on the Bosberg. Riding aggressively Bugno countered the move, but Museeuw and Tchmil's hard chase brought the group back together. 

Into the finishing straight in Meerbeke/Ninove Gianni Bugno outfoxed Belgian sprinter Johan Museeuw and crossed the finish line a millimeter in front of the Belgian. The Italian claimed the prestigious Ronde victory.

Bugno by a Millimeter over Museeuw [photo courtesy of CRVV]

RVV 1993

RVV 1995

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