Philippe Gilbert hoping for race return before end of 2018 season after Tour de France crash
The Belgian is aiming for a return to racing at one-day Classic Paris-Tours
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

First time on the bike after my crash 🚴 Hope to be back in action this year 💪🏼 #TheWolfpack pic.twitter.com/9kwWpYuiyz
— PHILIPPE GILBERT (@PhilippeGilbert) August 9, 2018
Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors) says he is hoping for a return to racing before the end of the 2018 season after breaking his knee cap in a scary crash at the Tour de France in July.
The former world champion crashed with around 60km remaining on stage 16 of the Tour to Bagnères-de-Luchon, which was eventually won by his team-mate Julian Alaphilippe.
After attacking solo on the Col de Portet-d'Aspet, Gilbert attempted on the descent to extend his lead over the other breakaway riders behind, but misjudged a left corner and locked up his bike before crashing over the roadside wall and being thrown into a ravine on the other side.
Fortunately, the Belgian was quickly up on his feet and back at the roadside where he was checked over by medical staff. After giving a thumbs up to the camera, he got back on his bike and continued the stage, drifting back to the main peloton.
Scans after the stage revealed he had broken his left knee-cap however, forcing Gilbert to abandon the race before stage 17.
The 36-year-old released a video on Wednesday showing he had returned to light training on the turbo trainer as he continues his recovery.
No timeline has been given by his team for a return, but Gilbert hopes to be fit in time for an appearance at Paris-Tours on October 7, though admits it will be "complicated" to return to full form in time.
Gilbert won two back to back editions of the French one-day Classic in 2008 and 2009, with the route altered this year with dirt roads through vineyards featuring in the final 60km of the race.
Paris-Tours is often a fast fought race thanks to a tailwind in the course direction at that time of year, and often culminates in a late breakaway sprint or a bunch finish.
"My dream would be to be at the start of Paris-Tours because it's been 10 years since I won their for the first time, it was the first big race I won in my life," Gilbert said.
"I still have time, but it's going to be complicated. The form really starts to go downhill [during injury] and I will have to work a lot to come back."
Thank you for reading 10 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
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
-
Bikes of the Atlas Mountain Race 2023: from comfort gravellers to speed weapons, here’s what caught our eye
Covering 1,300km / 800mi of Morocco’s gravel roads and mountain passes, the Atlas Mountain Race demands a tech-heavy approach for its 3+ days of bikepacking racing
By Stefan Abram • Published
-
British champion Cameron Mason hoping for rain at Cyclo-cross World Championships
British national champion says patience will be the key in what’s expected to be a fast race in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Philippe Gilbert slams UCI for ‘negligence’ at Vuelta a Burgos
‘It’s time safety topics are taken seriously’ says Belgian former World Champion
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I’m still having to pinch myself a little bit, what a ride!' : Reinardt Janse van Rensburg’s journey to a sixth Tour de France
The 33 year old South African rider feared his career was over before Lotto Soudal came calling.
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Mark Cavendish wants to continue for 'at least' two more years
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sprinter turns 37 this weekend
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Retiring Philippe Gilbert ends 966-day drought without a win
The Belgian rider won the third stage at the 4 Jours de Dunkerque, his first victory since September 2019
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Philippe Gilbert will aim for missing Milan-San Remo Monument to complete set in final season
But the Belgian isn't just focusing on the one-day race in his last year as a pro
By Jonny Long • Published
-
Fabio Jakobsen on aiming for the Tour de France, lawsuit against Groenewegen and supporting Cavendish
The Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl rider showed he is back to being one of the fastest sprinters around at the Vuelta a España
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Last updated
-
'I don’t want to end my time with the regret of not ever trying': Julian Alaphilippe wants to try and win Tour de France before retiring
The double world champion will focus on the Classics in 2022 but still has an eye on the French Grand Tour
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Julian Alaphilippe and Remco Evenepoel share their thoughts ahead of Il Lombardia 2021
The two Deceuninck - Quick-Step riders come into the final Monument of the year as two of the main favourites
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published