Cycling: Belgian Johan Museeuw yesterday announced his retirement after finishing 77th in the Grand Prix de l'Escaut near Antwerp.

Arguably the world's finest one-day cyclist this past decade, Museeuw ended a 16-year career punctuated by 11 classic victories.

Museeuw became a national hero after winning Belgium's most popular race, the Tour of Flanders, in 1993, 1995 and 1998.

He was world road champion in 1996 in Lugano, having also won the World Cup and the Belgian championship.

Museeuw, who was in a coma for more than two weeks following a motorcycle crash in 2000, was known as the Lion of Flanders for his aggressive style.

"I hope I will be remembered as a rider who always gave his all. I'm very proud of what I've achieved during my career," the 38-year-old said.

"There have been so many good and bad moments but I think the best was when I won the Tour of Flanders in 1995 because I won it on my own after attacking on the legendary Muur of Grammont climb."

The soft-spoken Museeuw first made a name for himself by taking two Tour de France stages in 1990. He wore the race leader's yellow jersey twice, in 1993 and 1994, during the reign of five-times winner Miguel Indurain.

Museeuw will remain in the sport as a director for the Quick Step team but admitted he will miss racing: "My professional career is now over but I'll always ride my bike because I still love cycling. The first difficult moment will be on Sunday at the Amstel Gold Race in Holland. Instead of taking part in the race, I'll be following in the team car, that's when it will really hit me that I'm no longer a rider."

Yesterday, Museeuw made an emotional dash to try and win the Grand Prix de l'Escaut but was caught by the main field after a few minutes of glory.

His team mate and compatriot Tom Boonen triumphed ahead of Australia's Robbie McEwen and Simone Cadamuro of Italy.

Ireland's Mark Scanlon (Ag2R-Prevoyance) and Ciarán Power (Navigators Insurance) finished 36th and 44th.