Philippe Gilbert wins Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec 2011 – Cycling Update
Philippe Gilbert has managed to secure the victory at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec as he finished the race in a total time of 5:03:08. The Belgian National Champion was amongst the favourites to win the event and he lived up to the expectations as he
showed his sprinting skills all the way to the finish line.
The Omega Pharma rider mentioned that he had a tough day and team Sky riders were not easy to beat and he decided to launch the race early on. He mentioned that his team was not as strong as previous years and it was a big ask to win the event as he said,
“I can’t compare this race [win] to any other classic that I won this year because I had a weak team and I had to ride on my own.”
Gilbert made his initial move at the Cote de la Montagne and was challenged by Marco Marcato, Gerald Ciolek, Bjorn Leukemnas, Simone Ponzi, Simon Clarke, Levi Leipheimer, Rigoberto Uran and Fabian Wegmann.
Philippe was chased by Gesink and there was a mere difference amongst the two in the final 2 kilometres of Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec 2011. Gesink tried to close the gap on him but could not match the speed of the Belgian as Philippe crossed the finish
line first and secured yet another classic win to himself.
On commenting about the win, Philippe mentioned that he was under massive pressure as he had high expectation from him and was keen to win the event as he said, “I was under pressure because I had to get six points and they were six difficult points to try
and get as the race went on and the scenario evolved, things got better and better for me because the peloton got smaller and there were only 10 of us at the end.”
The 29-year-old finished the race ahead of Rabobank rider Robert Gesink with Rigoberto Uran Uran of Sky Procycling at third place. Cyclists will again be reunited on Sunday as they get ready for the Grand Prix de Montreal.
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