Johan Museeuw to ride London-Paris

The Lion of Flanders, Johan Museeuw, will join over two hundred other riders on this year's London-Paris Cycle Tour taking place in advance of the 2007 Tour de France. The former World Champion and winner of many Classics has been keeping himself in shape since his retirement two years ago and will join the Irishman Sean Kelly on the road to Paris.

"We were bowled over when Johan expressed an interest in riding," says Tour organizer Sven Thiele. "Johan and Sean are dream additions to the event and Johan's understanding of the concept and his instant support of our chosen charities was quite overwhelming. I'm thrilled."

Museeuw Bikes will also be donating specially prepared children's bicycles to the London-Paris supported Charities; Christel House, Schools for Children of Cambodia and Morning Star Children's Centre.

"Johan Museeuw is one of the all time greats in cycling and it will be a huge honour to ride alongside him and Sean into Paris, it's certainly the nearest I'll get to riding with the greats!" said cycling commentator David Harmon. "The whole concept of the Tour is terrific and it really shows when cycling legends want to come along for the ride."

The 2007 London-Paris Cycle Tour starts with a 150 kilometre stage from Hampton Court to Portsmouth on June 28, followed by an overnight transfer to St Malo. The following two stages will cover at total 450 kilometres of undulating terrain into Paris, arriving at Versailles on June 30th. The tour is known for being sociable, where international riders can mix and ride the 600 kilometres with full support and rolling road closures.