Philippe Gilbert Discussion Thread

[hfer07]

just curious-when is his contract due to?

 

[SKSemtex]

end of year 2014 (for Cannondale he was and still is the golden goose )

 

[Flamin]

http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/wielrennen/140118_Gilbert_over_2014

Gilbert says he will be close to 2011 level after a perfect winter.

Also plans on riding Paris-Roubaix in 2015.

 

[jens_attacks]

Gilbert says he will be close to 2011 level after a perfect winter..

 

[Flamin]

I lol'd there

 

[karlboss]

Believe it when i see it.

 

[movingtarget]

http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/wielrennen/140118_Gilbert_over_2014

Gilbert says he will be close to 2011 level after a perfect winter.

Also plans on riding Paris-Roubaix in 2015.

I'd prefer if he just let his legs do the talking. Hopefully he can find a few more percent this season.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

gilbetr can only go back to his 2011 ways if uci strip cortisone policy...

 

[Afrank]

Gilbert's says he'll quit cycling if he's unable to return to his winning ways.

“I will stop cycling if it’s to do a top five only. I have more motivation than this,” he said. “When I’m not able to win anymore, I will stop.”

“The last season was not good. I was also disappointed in my season, my performance,” he told reporters at a media session also posted on the team’s website. “I just wanted to forget this and go for a new, successful season.

Don't think I want to see Gilbert just call it quits, but this season is definitely make or break for him.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014...quit-if-he-cant-return-to-winning-ways_315159

 

[staubsauger]

Gilbert's says he'll quit cycling if he's unable to return to his winning ways.



Don't think I want to see Gilbert just call it quits, but this season is definitely make or break for him.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014...quit-if-he-cant-return-to-winning-ways_315159

Wow. In 2011 I was very confident in him, becoming a new Di Luca!

He surely has to find back his winning legs. Maybe Rio 2016 can be a last shine of glory. But still 2 years to go.

 

[pablocastellanosarejola]

rio is too far..but all of us are wishing the return of the best gilbert!!

 

[Dazed and Confused]

rio is too far..but all of us are wishing the return of the best gilbert!!

count me out. Don't like Gilberts domination of '11 to be repeated anytime soon. Too predictable. Don't mind him winning a few races however.

 

[buzdovan]

He should win MSR and Tour of Flanders before decides to retire.

 

[Afrank]

He should win MSR and Tour of Flanders before decides to retire.

It's not as much a matter of should as it is a matter of can.

 

[buzdovan]

It's not as much a matter of should as it is a matter of can.

Of all Monuments only P-R looks like something he can't. That's what he was saying too. But it's more difficult now, you're right.
And a rider like him definitely should have these races on his palmares.

 

[Afrank]

Of all Monuments only P-R looks like something he can't. That's what he was saying too. But it's more difficult now, you're right.
And a rider like him definitely should have these races on his palmares.

True, a MSR and RVV would definitely complete his palmares. But the Gilbert we've seen for the last few years is not the Gilbert of 2011. If he is indeed getting back to his 2011 levels like he claims then he definitely can win them, but if not, I'm not so sure he can compete for the win against the likes of Sagan, Cance, and others.

 

[movingtarget]

True, a MSR and RVV would definitely complete his palmares. But the Gilbert we've seen for the last few years is not the Gilbert of 2011. If he is indeed getting back to his 2011 levels like he claims then he definitely can win them, but if not, I'm not so sure he can compete for the win against the likes of Sagan, Cance, and others.

Think his dominating days are over but would still like to see him pick up a good race this season. One classic would be good. Last year the hilly classics were pretty evenly shared. I think the same could happen again this season unless Sagan can find an extra gear.

 

[Panda Claws]

I just hope he manages to end up with an Ardennes Domination, akin to Moreno Argentin.

He was born in that region so it would be something special.

 

[myrideissteelerthanyours]

Is he expected to try to win Het Volk to tie the record this year? Or is it a given that guys like GVA and Vanmarke are just too good for him to realistically win this? Or will cold weather ruin the event rendering everything moot?

 

[Pentacycle]

Is he expected to try to win Het Volk to tie the record this year? Or is it a given that guys like GVA and Vanmarke are just too good for him to realistically win this? Or will cold weather ruin the event rendering everything moot?

He will skip the Omloop.

 

[Afrank]

Think his dominating days are over but would still like to see him pick up a good race this season. One classic would be good. Last year the hilly classics were pretty evenly shared. I think the same could happen again this season unless Sagan can find an extra gear.

Same here, I'm hoping he can win at least one of the Ardennes. Can't see him winning all 3 plus a handful of other races like in 2011.

 

[Netserk]

Think his dominating days are over but would still like to see him pick up a good race this season. One classic would be good. Last year the hilly classics were pretty evenly shared. I think the same could happen again this season unless Sagan can find an extra gear.

AFAIK Sagan won't race Amstel, F-W nor Liege.

 

[movingtarget]

AFAIK Sagan won't race Amstel, F-W nor Liege.

Didn't know that. Riding Flanders. Could be interesting and I suppose MSR.

 

[gerundium]

Didn't know that. Riding Flanders. Could be interesting and I suppose MSR.

also P-R i believe.

 

[trevim]

I don't know why he's so pessimistic: 2011 wasn't that long ago, he should know what sort of training he did back then, instead of saying this kind of things in the press.