'It had to happen today': Philippe Gilbert says Flanders disappointment drove him on to Paris-Roubaix victory
The Belgian says he put a lot of pressure on himself to deliver a result in Roubaix


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Philippe Gilbert (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) said a Paris-Roubaix win had to happen on Sunday in France after the disappointment that marked the Tour of Flanders last week.
Gilbert fell sick ahead of the Dwars door Vlaanderen last Wednesday, began the Tour of Flanders and unable to continue, withdrew early. It seemed unlikely he could come back in top form one week later to win his fourth of the five Monuments, but his experience and Deceuninck-Quick-Step's might saw it happen.
>>> Philippe Gilbert wins Paris-Roubaix 2019 in velodrome sprint finish
"I put a huge amount of pressure on my shoulders after the disappointment of Flanders," Gilbert said. "It had to happen today."
He attacked with 65km to race, formed an elite group and then escaped free with Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin) at 14km to race before winning on the velodrome in a two-up sprint.
"When you win a sprint there's an explosion of emotion that come from a sprint. The emotion today was a lot different because with a few kilometres to go you never know if you're going to win or not," he continued.
"I realised again today what it means to win for the Quick-Step team. 700 victories with 100 riders, that is as much as Eddy Merckx and its great to win for this team which has so many qualities. And one goal, which is victory."
The win adds to Monument wins in Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and two in Il Lombardia – only one step away from all five with Milan-San Remo. Only cycling's elite, three Belgians – Rik Van Looy, Eddy Merckx and Roger De Vlaeminck – have won all five Monuments.
Gilbert's career appeared in doubt after he fractured his kneecap in last year's Tour de France. He came back, however and while this spring "the results weren't there," the 36-year-old began looking for revenge.
"It comes as a bit of a revenge victory. It was a huge disappointment after Flanders. I had worked really hard. I was getting better and it was extremely tough to abandon the Tour of Flanders. I wanted to start the race despite that terrible night, losing lots of kilos," he explained.
"On Wednesday, I did six hours on the bike training around Nice. I need hills to train and that gives me a lot of confidence. The form was getting better and it gave me a huge boost for starting this morning."
The 2012 world champion made the move but began to wonder about German Politt, who only has won once in his career but has been strong all spring.
"We spent most of the day together, at least the last 70km of the day it was a nice duo," he said.
"I know him well. We were together last year just after the Arenberg and in breakaways during the season. I knew it would be an advantage to be with a rider like Nils because he's a very generous rider and he gives 100 per cent. Both of us deserve to win today."
Gilbert won the 2012 World Championships and all three Ardennes Classics. In 2018, he began to focus on the cobbled Classics and added Roubaix after his Flanders win in 2017. Each of those wins has come with a show, a long solo move in Flanders and a long fight to Roubaix this weekend.
"I like panache. I liked riders like Museeuw who would take off far from the finish. Or Bartoli. I used to dream of them and copy them in the past," he continued.
"I like these long attacks. That's where I feel I am the best. That's how I make the difference when all of the leaders are fighting together mano a mano."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
Snapped cranks, motorbikes and decade-old handlebars - breaking sprinting's oldest world record
Jeffrey Hoogland is going after the longest-standing record in track cycling
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Best fenders - mudguards - for gravel bikes 2023: top models we recommend
Want to extend the life of your components and ride in greater comfort? We’ve rounded up the best fenders / mudguards to protect both you and your gravel bike
By Stefan Abram Published
-
Jumbo-Visma perfect until it really mattered: Five things we learned from the men's cobbled Classic season
Tadej Pogačar should be lining up a tilt at Paris-Roubaix, Mathieu van der Poel has won almost everything he can, and Ineos Grenadiers underwhelmed
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘It was just agony’: Inside the Paris-Roubaix debuts of four young Brits
Josh Tarling, Zoe Bäckstedt, Sam Watson and Alice Towers lived very different days at the Hell of the North
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Two days in hell: The best images from Paris-Roubaix and Paris-Roubaix Femmes
Take a look at our mega-gallery of some of the best photos from a weekend of brutal racing
By Adam Becket Published
-
'We raced like juniors from start to finish. It was crazy' - Mathieu van der Poel on his Paris-Roubaix victory
Dutchman reflects on a 'strange' day at Paris-Roubaix, the fastest edition in history
By Tom Davidson Published
-
CW Live: Live updates of men's Paris-Roubaix as Mathieu van der Poel wins; Jasper Philipsen second for Alpecin-Deceuninck 1-2; Wout van Aert third; Peter Sagan abandons in last-ever edition
Follow live updates of the men's Paris-Roubaix where Wout van Aert is among several cards that Jumbo-Visma have to play
By Chris Marshall-Bell Last updated
-
Filippo Ganna, Lorena Wiebes, or Matej Mohorič: Eight wildcards for Paris-Roubaix
Who could spring a surprise at the Hell of the North?
By Adam Becket Published
-
'All the pressure was on him': Philippe Gilbert impressed by Kasper Asgreen’s form ahead of Paris-Roubaix
Danish rider finished seventh for Soudal Quick-Step after Patrick Lefevere called for riders to ‘save team’s honour’
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Can anyone stop Lotte Kopecky and SD Worx? Six contenders for Paris-Roubaix Femmes
It's hard to look past the Dutch super-team, but Trek-Segafredo have been dominant in the Hell of the North
By Adam Becket Published