Philippe Gilbert, along with many, will be making his Belgian racing debut for 2016 at this weekend’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. With the beginning of the Belgian Classics imminent, Cyclingnews spoke to Gilbert about his memories of the Classics and why he likes them so much.
Over the years, Gilbert has made his name as a one-day specialist and is one of only two riders to have ever won all three Ardennes Classics. From the province of Liege, Gilbert was raised on the hustle and bustle of the Ardennes. “Every year I went [to Liege-Bastogne-Liege] and Fleche Wallonne also,” he tells Cyclingnews.
“It’s maybe a different public [at the Ardennes] but the passion is the same [as in Flanders]. Everybody loves cycling [in Belgium] whether you come from the north or south. Maybe there are fewer people in Liege than in Flanders but it’s still one of the biggest races of the season. When you see this picture from the Cote de Saint Roche, the first really steep climb, it is really impressive.”
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Gilbert’s beloved Ardennes features some of the oldest races on the calendar, with Liege-Bastogne-Liege the oldest of them after it began in 1892. It has seen some daring escapes and epic battles through its past. Modern-day cycling has become about accumulating points to ensure your team’s position in the all-important rankings, but when the Classics roll around each spring points are the furthest thing from Gilbert’s mind.
“My spirit when I go to the Classics, I always go to win it,” he says. “I don’t think of I can get so many points if I finish fifth. I really try to win and if I cannot win then maybe another place will come but the win is the main goal.”
And win he has, taking seven victories at the Classics including three Amstel Gold titles. He has also put himself onto the podium twice at the Tour of Flanders. By far his most memorable moment was that run of victories during his 2011 Ardennes campaign, which was capped off with the win at Liege-Bastogne-Liege. After taking everything in the run-up, including Brabantse Pijl the week before, the pressure had been on Gilbert to deliver again.
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