Philippe Gilbert has dominated the post tour races, with four victories in the opening week.
The Belgian champion had to settle for third, in the Tour’s green jersey classification, but is now back in his own back yard. Gilbert opened up his account at the Natour Criterium Aalst, ahead of Samuel Sanchez and Ivan Basso. The Criterium Aalst is one of the oldest post tour crits, it was founded in 1934, and takes an 11 corner tour around the town.
Sanchez got his own back, the following day, with victory in Natourcriterium Roeselare and Thor Hushovd taking third. The new King of the Mountains had plenty of room to breathe, as the two sprinters fought it out behind him. Plenty of fans packed the streets to see the 55 laps, despite the bad weather.
Back to Winning Ways
Gilbert was quick to get back to winning ways, as he beat Spartacus himself Fabian Cancellara, in a very tight sprint finish. Home favourite Thor Hushovd had to settle for third again, but he certainly looked happy to be reunited with his family. There was a minutes silence held, for the victims of the Oslo bombings, and all riders wore black armbands. Hushovd went out on his own, but was soon caught by Gilbert and Cancellara. A fall then spelled the end for the Norwegian’s hope, as the other two went on to contest the sprint.
Back to Belgium and Gilbert had some different podium companions, in Vincenzo Nibali and Bjorn Leukemans, at the Criterium Herentals. The Omega-Pharma Lotto rider was a full eight seconds ahead of second placed Nibali, with Leukemans right on his tail. Ivan Basso continued in the same vein he had, with the Tour de France, by just missing out, while Lars Boom rounded off the top five.
Cadel Stops Gilbert
It took another Tour jersey holder to stop him once more, as Cadel Evans beat him in the Cibel Na-Tourcriterium Saint-Niklaas. Gilbert just didn’t quite have the legs of the Tour de France winner, who’s had a couple of days rest, and lost around a second. Robbie McEwen rolled in eight seconds behind the pair, to take the final podium position.
To round off his good week, Gilbert headed up to the Basque Country for the Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian. One of the tougher post Tour races, the San Sebastian is a 234km ride with 2 ascents of the Jaizkibel. True to his recent form, the Belgian rode to a fantastic solo finish; Carlos Barredo had to settle for second, 12 seconds down, while Greg Van Avermaet came home in third. Home favourite, Samuel Sanchez, could only manage eighth, finishing in Avermaet’s group.
Other post tour winners were: Mark Cavendish, who took two, Johnny Hoogerland, in the Acht van Chaam, Lars Boom, Andre Greipel, Barnard Eisel, Jeremy Roy, Jelle Vanendert, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Alessandro Petacchi and Franck Schleck. The post tour crits will run until August 9th, with the final one De Gouden Pijl – Emmen, in the Netherlands.
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