Philippe Gilbert Discussion Thread

[Pantani_lives]

A little shout-out is in order to Gilbert, who will be riding his final LBL tomorrow, the monument in his own region, which he won once. His name will be written on La Redoute seventy times.

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

A little shout-out is in order to Gilbert, who will be riding his final LBL tomorrow, the monument in his own region, which he won once. His name will be written on La Redoute seventy times.

Last LBL tomorrow for Gilbert and Valverde, these two big stars who loved „La Doyenne“ more than anything else… I‘m sad, indeed.

Gilbert will want to finish tomorrow, and avoid a DNF. He will be celebrated all race long…

 

[Bonimenier]

A little shout-out is in order to Gilbert, who will be riding his final LBL tomorrow, the monument in his own region, which he won once. His name will be written on La Redoute seventy times.

It's 700 times, not 70 times

The 2 riders with the most LBL starts in the history of the race, Gilbert (17) and Valverde (16), are both riding their last LBL.

 

[Lequack]

It's 700 times, not 70 times

The 2 riders with the most LBL starts in the history of the race, Gilbert (17) and Valverde (16), are both riding their last LBL.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1517921675404320768

View: https://twitter.com/philipta/status/1517921675404320768?s=20&t=BFHhTKzi42ruFGKME5xXSg

 

[staubsauger]

I only believe that Gilbert actually retires after this season if he doesn't show up for La Marseillaise & Omloop in 2023 with FDJ, because Madiot convinced him about "One final season as an instructor for the young talents and then you become a director sportif, because I can't do this job forever!"

 

[Pantani_lives]

The resurrection! Good to see he didn't need to bribe anyone for a win in his last season. Now for Lombardia and a few more in between!

 

[Panda Claws]

Very stronk ride

 

[KZD]

Good to see Gilbert winning again.

 

[Wyndbrook]

According to CW he has broken the record for the longest time between wins in the same race at 17 years since he last won in 2005.

 

[rallybanana]

According to CW he has broken the record for the longest time between wins in the same race at 17 years since he last won in 2005.

Your mission, Alejandro, should you choose to accept it.... Win the Ordiziako Klasika for the first time since 2003

 

[Scarponi]

Well done on a legendary career!

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

I still remember the Sunday evening in 2005, when Gilbert attacked in the finale of Paris-Tours with Devolder. Zabel won there.

Then in 2008, Gilbert won it. I think it was 2008. He also won Het Volk that year.

Now Gilbert retires today. He was a good rider, and probably will remain in cycling, which I would find great.

To be honest, now, when I remember 2008, I wonder why Kuyckx, who was second behind Gilbert in Tours, never became world class afterwards… (Maybe he remained active rider, and still one day will become world class - or attempt the Hour Record, maybe )

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Another one of the greats of the last 20 years, retires. I have to say, the only one of his monument wins I saw live is Roubaix so I can‘t say much about him. When I became a cycling fan, he was already on the decline. Still, the amount of big champions the pro peloton loses this year, is practically unparalleled.

 

[Pantani_lives]

This weekend was really the end of a generation. PhilGil showed some extraordinary grit with his early wins, like that long solo in the Omloop. His super year was 2011, when he was very explosive and truly dominated the climbing classics. The Cauberg was his second home, because he won a world title and four Amstels there.

Then, when he was less explosive at an older age and seemed to be past his peak, he moved to QuickStep to add the two biggest cobbled races to his list. A stroke of genius! He had the fighting spirit to come back several times after a big crash. He deserves his spot among the best classic racers of this century.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Oh Lord. One of my favourites, my man Phil. For sure the best classicomano since bettini and by far the biggest beast I saw when he was in top shape. Only Cance came close to his level of dominance. He was simply unbeatable when he was in top shape. Still regreting his broken rib in amstel, preventing him from winning a second Liège.

 

[KZD]

Another legend that retires, I will remember the 4 different monuments that he won, the Ardennes treble in 2011 and the World Champion title in Valkenburg in the following year. Wishing him all the best.

 

[topcat]

It's been a hard weekend. My favourite classics rider of all time and my favourite gt rider of all time both retire. Two of the all-time greats, they were awesome to watch when at their peak. Of course their time is up, but I feel sad I'll never see either race again. I hope Alaphilippe is on fire next season.

 

[Panda Claws]

Can we sticky this thread please? I think it is only fair given Phillippe Gilbert's contributions.

 

[tobydawq]

I still remember the Sunday evening in 2005, when Gilbert attacked in the finale of Paris-Tours with Devolder. Zabel won there.

Then in 2008, Gilbert won it. I think it was 2008. He also won Het Volk that year.

Now Gilbert retires today. He was a good rider, and probably will remain in cycling, which I would find great.

To be honest, now, when I remember 2008, I wonder why Kuyckx, who was second behind Gilbert in Tours, never became world class afterwards… (Maybe he remained active rider, and still one day will become world class - or attempt the Hour Record, maybe )

Understatement of the year...

 

[tobydawq]

It's been a hard weekend. My favourite classics rider of all time and my favourite gt rider of all time both retire. Two of the all-time greats, they were awesome to watch when at their peak. Of course their time is up, but I feel sad I'll never see either race again. I hope Alaphilippe is on fire next season.

The same for me. Valverde and Valverde

(okay, if you put a gun to my head, I might say Sagan before Valverde)

 

[RedheadDane]

(okay, if you put a gun to my head, I might say Sagan before Valverde)

Don't worry, I wouldn't. Not a violent person.

(Mostly because everyone is bigger than me.)

 

[SHAD0W93]

Don't worry, I wouldn't. Not a violent person.

(Mostly because everyone is bigger than me.)

So if everyone wasn’t bigger than you, you’d be more violent?