Philippe Gilbert disappointed after the Belgian National Championships
After his spectacular performance in the past season, Philippe Gilbert’s struggling form is evident during the first half of the 2012 season.
The Belgian won almost all the races in the past season including the National Road Race and the National Time Trial Championships.
He was hopeful to defend his National title but could not match the likes of his in-form compatriot, Tom Boonen.
Boonen secured the first overall position after crossing the finish line in an impressive time of 5 hours, 59 minutes and 7 seconds.
Kristof Goddaert, Sven Vandousselaere, Jan Bakelants and Julien Vermote occupied the second, the third, the fourth and the fifth positions respectively.
Boonen was charmed after bagging an important victory in his bag and explained that he was nervous before the start of the race but considers himself lucky to grab the top podium spot.
He told Sporza, "It was a very nice day but I was quite nervous. It took a lot of effort to get away”.
“Vermote struggled hard to join the breakaway as well but he managed to recover”.
“Together with the headwind he was crucial to control the others in the final lap," he concluded.
Boonen is having a terrific season and currently holds the second overall spot at the UCI World Tour Elite Men rankings with 366 UCI points in his bag.
Joaquim Rodriguez is leading the classifications with 404 UCI points with Bradley Wiggins, Vincenzo Nibali and Peter Sagan at the third, the fourth and the fifth positions respectively.
Gilbert finished as much as 39 seconds behind the race leader and had to settle for the 54th position.
"When I realised the bunch wasn’t going to bring the breakaway back I tried to close the gap solo,” Philippe briefed.
“On the long straight it was impossible for one man to close the gap”.
Despite a disappointing start to his 2012 campaign, Gilbert is aiming high at the Tour de France, It was important, with the Tour starting in a week, to do deep in the race".
He is currently busy getting the right form ahead of the Tour where he will be seen in action supporting the reigning Tour de France champion, Cadel Evans.
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