The 2017 Tour of Flanders seemingly had it all. Early hostilities, a stunning long-range solo, a moment of pure drama that will be hard to equal all season, tactical intrigue, joy, heartbreak, and a list of what-if's almost as long as the parcours itself. Cyclingnews has enlisted the help of nine-time Monument winner Sean Kelly to dissect one of the most memorable editions of De Ronde in recent memory.
Gilbert completes his renaissance
When Philippe Gilbert announced his departure from BMC Racing towards the end of the 2016 season many believed that the Belgian’s best years were behind him. Those who argued such a notion certainly had a case; two years had passed since the 2012 World Champion had succeeded in a Monument, with only one victory in the second half of 2016. He was, by BMC’s estimations, expendable and they were willing to see him pitch up at a rival Classics powerhouse and lose his expensive contract in the process.
Just three months into the move to Quick-Step Floors and it’s already looking like the transfer of the season. Gilbert not only looks like a revitalized figure but he’s arguably the closest he’s been to the tantalizing form he displayed during the dizzy heights of 2011, when almost anything seemed possible. His ride in Flanders was arguably more impressive than the way he brushed aside the Schlecks in Liege-Bastogne-Liege or sat up before the line in Fleche Wallonne to blow kisses to the crowd.
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On Sunday Gilbert was as decisive as he was powerful. While others hesitated he was brave enough to take the race head on. Of course it helps when you have riders of Tom Boonen’s and Matteo Trentin’s calibre to decimate the field before your winning attack but, for the majority of Gilbert’s lone 55km venture, the race hung in the balance.
Would the chase have caught him had they not fallen? We’ll never know, but that’s the beauty and the heartbreak of the Classics all in one. All that we know for certain is that Gilbert triumphed in one of the most memorable editions of Flanders we’ve seen in years. (DB)
Sean Kelly says: Gilbert’s ride was extraordinary. To go from that distance out and to have such a powerful group chasing and still hold them off, was just incredible. Circumstances did help him a little bit but you can’t take anything from his performance. It was monstrous. He left BMC but the change of team has given him a new motivation and he’s been aggressive since the start of the year. At Paris-Nice he was attacking in the horrible weather with 40-50km to go and he’s used that race as preparation for the Classics. Can he win all five Monuments? I think time is running out for him but maybe Paris-Roubaix is an easier one for him when compared to Milan-San Remo.
Things could have been so different without that crash
Sagan, without luck or a team
Van Avermaet’s wait continues
The Muur played its part in the end
Vanmarcke stalls
Team Sky’s Classics campaign receives a blow
Lotto Soudal in limbo
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