Gilbert: "I was right to believe in this crazy dare"

April 14 ^th 2019 - 18:41

Philippe Gilbert (Deceuninck-Quick Step), winner of Paris-Roubaix 2019: “My back is really painful because of the shocks. When I stopped pedalling I felt it. It’s normal after a race like this. We went quite deep today and now the body feels it. My abilities are more about being a puncheur, they’re more adequate for Liège, Amstel, Lombardia… I’ve made the most of it in the first part of my career to win these races that suit me more. Then, I dared to work in a different way. I joined Patrick Lefevere’s team, the best for this kind of classics. And I quickly succeeded: in the first year I win Flanders, in the third I win Roubaix… It means I was right to believe in this crazy dare. Everything is possible in sport. In the finale, we were a nice duo (with Nils Politt). I know him. Last year we already were together at the front after Arenberg. I’ve been with him in several breakaways and he’s a generous rider. I knew being with him was an advantage. We worked 100% together, we gave it all. In the end you need a winner but I think we both deserved the victory. When I was young I loved watching Museeuw or Bartali when they attacked from far. I’ve always tried to emulate them and it’s brought me some of my biggest victories.”