Philippe Gilbert ends after monstervlucht at 46 seconds of the leader's jersey in Paris-Nice: The Turini, there was too much

Cycling Yes, you read that correctly. Philippe Gilbert (36) is at one stage of the end of the second in Paris-Nice, at 0.45 of the new prodigy Egan Arley Bernal. Thanks to a monstervlucht of over 140 kilometres. Almost was the stunt even ruined completely. Only in the last 3.5 kilometers of the Col de Turini was Gilbert from the cycled.

Is this the spring of Philippe Gilbert? It would just be. After a good start to the season, including a stage win in the Tour of the Provence and a decent Circulation (eighth), he now makes furore in Paris-Nice. Gilbert confirmed in the queen's stage are klassenflitsen in the waaieroorlog of the first days. After 39 kilometres, he pushed in a large group of 38, that the further course of the stage. And running a too quiet acting Team Sky is egg so after verkeek. Virtual in the leader's jersey and with a bonus of over four minutes, Gilbert on the final climb, the Col de Turini. Thanks to some formidable kopbeurten of lieutenant and pacesetter Tim Declercq he kept surprisingly well. On the way sloofde he is also the bonificatiesprints, good for five extra seconds. In the fast-paced uitdunnende group of favourites had Sky meanwhile the pace. Not tight enough, however. So the gap just in dribs and drabs decreased. Leader Michal Kwiatkowski still creaked and Egan Arley Bernal all freedom. Kiss of death for Gilbert. Above, he came as the eleventh, at 2.50 of winner Martinez, 46 seconds deficit for an absolute stunt.

Read also Martinez is the best on the Col de Turini, Gilbert, close to yellow, but Bernal saves for Team Sky

“It was a beautiful flight. With great and clean people, that are constantly turned” said Gilbert. “However, the Turini was too much. I live close to and a single the climb because I was there on training but even more about pull. It is by far the toughest of the region here. Eventually I drove him as fast as possible. A lot of information I got. No idea how the time differences evolved. I focused mainly on my own effort, tried my energy efficient to distribute. But really believe in the leader's jersey, I've honestly never done it. Because there is still a huge gap between me and the pure climbers who back came. That I never been. I am a born realist, hey. (laughs) today.”