Strong finish.
Wet, dark, and miserable is how most riders would describe to you their thoughts on this year's Giro di Lombardia but Philippe Gilbert would probably smile and say something like "Ah, this is nothin." And he made it look like so as he finished off his late-season romp with a strong victory in the year's final classic. Gilbert, the heavy pre-race favorite and defending champion, played his cards perfectly as usual and was in position to strike his opponent at his weakest time. Even if it was....errr, a chain slip. Before you start recalling memories of this year's Stage 15 fiasco, know that 2nd place Michele Scaraponi botched his gear change while trying to respond to an attack by Gilbert and that Gilbert was already long gone before he learned of his opponent's misfortunes.
Scaraponi still put in a great effort and was rewarded with a 2nd place spot on the podium, and with the way Gilbert has been racing, it can almost be taken as a victory. Pablo Lastras soloed his way from the leaders to grab 3rd. Also know that only 34 of the original 195 starters crossed the line, which is a testament to the fierce pace of the leaders and the brutality of the conditions. The trick for Gilbert now will be keeping this remarkable form through November, December, and January and asserting himself as the dominant favorite once the classics start up in spring.
So that's it. The competitive cycling season is officially over for 2010. Expect some "year in review" posts to come up shortly and before you know it you'll be seeing 2011 previews. But again, congrats to Gilbert for a job well done.
Wet, dark, and miserable is how most riders would describe to you their thoughts on this year's Giro di Lombardia but Philippe Gilbert would probably smile and say something like "Ah, this is nothin." And he made it look like so as he finished off his late-season romp with a strong victory in the year's final classic. Gilbert, the heavy pre-race favorite and defending champion, played his cards perfectly as usual and was in position to strike his opponent at his weakest time. Even if it was....errr, a chain slip. Before you start recalling memories of this year's Stage 15 fiasco, know that 2nd place Michele Scaraponi botched his gear change while trying to respond to an attack by Gilbert and that Gilbert was already long gone before he learned of his opponent's misfortunes.
Scaraponi still put in a great effort and was rewarded with a 2nd place spot on the podium, and with the way Gilbert has been racing, it can almost be taken as a victory. Pablo Lastras soloed his way from the leaders to grab 3rd. Also know that only 34 of the original 195 starters crossed the line, which is a testament to the fierce pace of the leaders and the brutality of the conditions. The trick for Gilbert now will be keeping this remarkable form through November, December, and January and asserting himself as the dominant favorite once the classics start up in spring.
So that's it. The competitive cycling season is officially over for 2010. Expect some "year in review" posts to come up shortly and before you know it you'll be seeing 2011 previews. But again, congrats to Gilbert for a job well done.
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