Cycling highlights: Many professionals dream of winning a classic in cycling. Philippe Gilbert managed to do this several times. In 2011, the Belgian was able to win all three Ardennes classics within a week.
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Gilbert rose to the top of all-time in 2011
Although Philippe Gilbert started the 2011 Ardennes Classics week as a favorite, no one would have expected such a historic triumph. His good form was already indicated by his success in the Brabant Arrow a few days earlier. On April 17th, he then repeated his previous year's victory in the Amstel Gold Race. That was the start of an unforgettable week. Because even with the Flèche Wallonne, he didn't give the competition a chance. Again Joaquim Rodriguez was only second. And at Liège - Bastogne - Liège, he even had to take on a pair of brothers. Together with Andy and Frank Schleck, he formed the leading trio before he simply left the two Luxembourgers on the last 300 meters like extras. In all three races no one stood a chance against him. Rolling out easily, Philippe Gilbert was even able to take his hands off the handlebars shortly before the finish line and celebrate the victories.
Ardennes triple also for Rebellin & Van der Breggen
It should also be mentioned that Philippe Gilbert is not the only one who has managed the Ardennes triple. In 2004, the Italian Davide Rebellin in the jersey of the German team Gerolsteiner was the first professional cyclist to celebrate this historic success. And this triple triumph has already been achieved for the women. In 2017 there was nothing to be done against the dominance of Anna van der Breggen.
Now Gilbert is only missing Milan – Sanremo
Philippe Gilbert, for his part, has been chasing records ever since. In 2012, he won the World Championship title on the road. He currently boasts eleven stage wins in the Grand Tours – he has won at least one stage in each of them. After winning the Tour of Lombardy in 2009 and 2010, he triumphed at the Tour of Flanders in 2017 and at Paris-Roubaix in 2019, even on cobblestones. Now he has one more major goal: Milan-San Remo! If he wins the Italian classic, he will have won all five Monuments of cycling. Only three other professionals have achieved this feat before: Rik Van Looy, Eddy Merckx, and Roger De Vlaeminck. All three are from Belgium – like Philippe Gilbert.