Philippe Gilbert Discussion Thread

[JosephK]

Gilbert is almost as ageless as Valverde! Phil just keeps winning. Very impressive ride today in both strategy and execution.

 

[Velolover2]

What a legend!

Do we have to consider him as a strong outside contender for the Worlds now?

 

[Finn84]

And he does it again!

Ten stage wins in GTs is a lot for a non-sprinter. Maybe he'll be glad now that he wasn't selected for the Tour. He will be good at the world championships too. I just hope the Belgian team doesn't have too many leaders.

And Gilbert isn't in the GC rider either. There are nine active riders with at least ten GT stage victories and Gilbert is the only one who isn't sprinter or GC rider.

Well, Bennati isn't really sprinter anymore but he was one of the best for a short time, taking eight wins within a year, seven of them in bunch sprints. Then there's Sagan and Degenkolb who are a bit of mixed riders but they have a lot of victories it bunch sprints too. Cav and Greipel are/were really top-level sprinters.

Three GC riders who have at least ten victories are Froome, Nibali and Valverde.

 

[Pantani_lives]

What a legend!

Do we have to consider him as a strong outside contender for the Worlds now?

As the winner of P-R and a Vuelta stage he should be an inside contender. His main problems might be that he won't be the sole leader of his team and that some other contenders have a better sprint, but I would certainly list him among the candidates.

 

[Noddy97]

Gilbert in shape is a freaking monster. all the eggs should be on him.

 

[Blanco]

As the winner of P-R and a Vuelta stage he should be an inside contender. His main problems might be that he won't be the sole leader of his team and that some other contenders have a better sprint, but I would certainly list him among the candidates.

That will actually be his and Belgium's biggest advantage, they will be in every move, maybe even with multiple riders, they will do something like QS does.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

That will actually be his and Belgium's biggest advantage, they will be in every move, maybe even with multiple riders, they will do something like QS does.

If they can ride as a team, sure. But i doubt that very much. If you see how Lampaert actively rode against Philipsen at the EC, and for Viviani, i have little faith in a DQS tactic for the national team.

 

[Pantani_lives]

If they can ride as a team, sure. But i doubt that very much. If you see how Lampaert actively rode against Philipsen at the EC, and for Viviani, i have little faith in a DQS tactic for the national team.

Yes, I don't see Lampaert doing much chasing after Alaphilippe, Stybar or Asgreen... For the Belgians it will be a matter of attacking before a teammate does.

 

[tobydawq]

Yes, I don't see Lampaert doing much chasing after Alaphilippe, Stybar or Asgreen... For the Belgians it will be a matter of attacking before a teammate does.

Why would they select him if they think he will follow trade team orders?

 

[Jagartrott]

I didn't think he had these climbs in him anymore. When he went yesterday, I was thinking "way too early", but in fact, it was perfect. It did surprise me how much time he lost after the climb, but perhaps he didn't want to take any risks with what is to come. The Worlds course should suit him, and his experience and race smarts should also really help him.

 

[HelloDolly]

I didn't think he had these climbs in him anymore. When he went yesterday, I was thinking "way too early", but in fact, it was perfect. It did surprise me how much time he lost after the climb, but perhaps he didn't want to take any risks with what is to come. The Worlds course should suit him, and his experience and race smarts should also really help him.

He said on the ES that he wnr slow after the climb didnt want to risk it too much

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1169675606344241153

View: https://twitter.com/Eurosport_UK/status/1169675606344241153?s=20

 

[Gigs_98]

Yeah, not very often you will see the most recent Paris Roubaix winner, win this sort of stage even if it was from a breakaway. He climbed a lot better than I expected. Chapeau Phil

 

[Red Rick]

The hard day on the flat helped him compared to the rest of the breakaway

 

[Nirvana]

Gregorio is saying since the beginning of the Vuelta that Gilbert big target for this fall is Lombardia, I thought it was a figment of his imagination because in recent years Gilbert said more than one time that nowadays Lombardia is too hard for him but after yesterday I started to think that could be true, the last climb was harder than Civiglio and his climbing looked better than in recent years.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Gregorio is saying since the beginning of the Vuelta that Gilbert big target for this fall is Lombardia, I thought it was a figment of his imagination because in recent years Gilbert said more than one time that nowadays Lombardia is too hard for him but after yesterday I started to think that could be true, the last climb was harder than Civiglio and his climbing looked better than in recent years.

That would be amazing if he could win Lomardia again. Hell of a season with that and PR.

 

[Velolover2]

Not many riders can win a punchy Murito stage and a lengthy crosswind stage in the same Grand Tour.

 

[tobydawq]

Not many riders can win Paris-Roubaix and Il Lombardia.

 

[Noddy97]

For me he is the best classicomano since bettini. He is a pure bike racer, he has intelligence, charisma, (and when he is in shape) he is probably the strongest rider I have ever seen (better than 2009 contador, 2010 cancellara, 2000-2002 armstrong). I want gilbert to start his career (again) right now.

 

[Bonimenier]

Although I doubt it will happen, I would love to see Gilbert win MSR one of the coming years so he can complete his big goal of winning all 5 monuments.

 

[gerundium]

He has made me a big fan over the last few years, the panache and willpower these last few years is inspiring. I wouldn't bet against him somehow sneaking a Milan-San Remo win still.

EDIT: Especially with the sort of form he's showing again this Vuelta, should have him rolling into the next off-season perfectly poised for a great spring. Just a little bit sad that he is leaving DQS, i think he has the best chance for MSR if he stays on there.