Bright future for Philippe Gilbert
Philippe Gilbert, winner of the season-closing race the Giro di Lombardia, has media, fans and the world’s most legendary cyclists on their toes with what he’s going to do next.
"This success in Lombardia perfectly describes Philippe Gilbert, both physically and mentally,” said Belgian Johan Museeuw, one of the all-time best Classics specialists. “He went just wide at Worlds, a race he had prepared for months
for. Instead of lamenting it though, he moved on. It has been years since I've seen someone do what he did."
Museeuw, who suggested Gilbert will be untouchable at the Tour of Flanders next year, isn’t the Belgian’s only homeland supporter. Walter Godefroot compared Gilbert to Eddy Merckx, one of the biggest names in cycling history.
“He has become a great champion. He takes responsibility, motivates his team mates,” said Godefroot. “He has become more mature in the race, he attacks where you least expect it. Cancellara is the only other current rider capable of winning all the Classics."
Ireland’s best Classics rider, Sean Kelly, is not a man quick to compliment, but has made an exception for Gilbert. He commended the slow build-up of the Belgian, climbing one-by-one to bigger races over several years.
"He is the best Classics rider of the moment,” said Kelly. “Above all, he is comprehensive, capable of winning in Flanders and the Ardennes. He is there, and he alone, from the beginning to the end of the season. He is not a rider who stays in the wheels
either, he does not hide, ever."
Kelly has named Gilbert for the Paris-Roubaix, the ‘h**l of the North’ in two years. The French classic is one of cycling’s oldest and most difficult races. The suggestion that the Belgian could contend for a Grand Tour podium, however, is not getting the
same reception as his future domination in the Classics. Kelly, seven-time winner of the Paris-Nice, says that it’s that race that could bridge the gap between the Classics and the Grand Tours for Gilbert, but even if he does master the relatively hilly Classic
Paris-Nice, he may never have the balance of weight and power necessary to finish on the podium in a Grand Tour.
"Cycling has changed. It's harder now, more specialized,” said Kelly. “If he loses weight, he will lose his power and everything that makes him strong in the Classics. However, he might get there, but he must first pass through Paris-Nice."
Gilbert himself has said that he would like to get to the top of the Grand Tours someday, but the Omega Pharma-Lotto rider knows his focus for next season will be the Classics, following his impressive end-season doubles in the Giro
del Piemonte, the Tour of Lombardy and the prestigious Flandrien award, three wins he has taken for the second year in a row.
“I have already won five Classics, but I still have dreams. The Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Milan-Sanremo are still on my list. Any why not Paris-Roubaix?” said Gilbert. “To me, whatever happens, I might still look
for a new challenge: a place of merit in a Grand Tour. If I succeed in losing three kilograms of weight, it should be possible. But this is all yet in the future.”
Marc Sergeant, manager of Omega Pharma-Lotto, has said that Gilbert is likely to be on the team for the Tour de France, with sprinter Andre Greipel and climber Jurgen Van den Broeck targeting jerseys in their respective specialities.
Last year’s Tour was unique in having several stages modelled after the Belgian Classics, since the Tour kicked off in the Netherlands and moved through Belgium before reaching France. Gilbert, however, hasn’t competed in the Tour since 2008.
"If I were to define the Mont des Alouettes (Stage 1), I'd say it's a bump for Gilbert,” described Sergeant. “If all goes well, he can spend eight days in yellow, as the Mur de Bretagne, on the fourth day, is really perfect for him.
Ditto for the arrival in Lisieux (Stage 6) and also in Super-Besse (Stage 8), as well as Saint-Flour (Stage 9). If I were him, I would think it worth the effort to spend a fortnight at the Tour de France and win two stages."
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