Former professional cyclist Johan Museeuw has decided to put the dark part of his career, which involved illegal doping, down on paper in his new autobiography "Museeuw Speaks - From Lion to Prey."
Former professional cyclist Johan Museeuw has decided to put the dark side of his career, which involved illegal doping, down on paper in his new autobiography "Museeuw Speaks - From Lion to Prey."
The 43-year-old Belgian collaborated with author Rik Vanwalleghem in a 183 page book outlining his drug use, something he claims was only done towards the end of his career.
Detailed in the pages you will find the not so glamorous story of how an athlete, once unstoppable on the bike, could let their ego drive decisions that had complete disregard to their sport. The rider confesses that his ego made him feel as if he were "untouchable", and he was willing to resort to doping -- something he would initially deny when the Landuyt case went public in 2003 -- to maintain his seat on the classics thrown.
The cyclist documented that his journey to the "dark side" was made by way of a chemist in Cologne, Germany. In anonymous fashion, Museeuw said he would purchase the products personally while wearing reading glasses to disguise his identity. He comments in his book that, "EPO and Aranesp were freely available in Germany" at that time.
Museeuw says his motivations for releasing the book are to wipe the slate clean, and one can only hope that the musings will serve as an example that will further enlighten the cycling world from the riders perspective. He admits he would like to return to the sport in some capacity.
The Belgian commented to news agency Belga, "I have received a heavy sentence of the court, as a criminal. I'm not (a criminal). I have only used EPO." Granted, the rider has only cheated his sport which is not a typical criminal, but the jury is out on how well a return to those whom he cheated against would be received.
Museeuw is known for being one of the best classics riders of his generation winning Paris - Tours in 1993, the Road World Championship in 1996, the Tour of Flanders in 1993, 1995, and 1998, and the "Queen of the Classics" Paris - Roubaix in 1996, 2000, and 2002.