Gilbert decked out in the stripes of Belgium, wins, and will replace them with the stripes of the World Champion. Photograph: Sirotti
It might seem a little strange to suggest Philippe Gilbert has had a 'tough' season when you consider the fact that he won two stages in the Vuelta just a few weeks ago, but by his high standards that were set in 2011 when it felt like he won virtually every race he entered, 2012 had been a struggle for form. Those Vuelta wins hinted at the form returning and when he burst clear with a devastating turn of power in the final two kilometers of Sunday's world road race championships, it was the Gilbert we know and love, and there was nobody who could match him.
Gilbert will now have the honour of wearing the rainbow stripes for the next twelve months and, like Cavendish this past year, you know he'll honour it in style. His Vuelta wins coupled with yesterday's wins suggests we might again see the best of him for next years spring classics and what a sight it would be to the see the rainbow jersey leading the charge at the Paris-Roubaix.
The race was one of chaos in it's closing stages. Riders were going in all directions as the pace was turned up. It led to all sorts of splits in the main field, but came together nicely for the final lap. Almost everyone who is anyone who could win on such a short but very sharp up-hill finish was still in the field and it was anyone's guess as to who might win.
My pre-race pick was Peter Sagan, but while he was in that group, he never did feature. Others had Edvald Boasson Hagen, who came second, four seconds behind Gilbert, Aljeandro Valverde, who led the main field home in third a further second back, or Thomas Voeckler, who finished in the 27 man group that contained the likes of Sagan, Oscar Freire and Simon Gerrans.
Gilbert puts on the power and surges clear of the casers. Photograph: Bettini
Gilbert's attack came right as Italian Vincenzo Nibali sat down from his effort and nobody could respond. Enough power through the pedals to keep the electricity on in my home for a month, Gilbert immediately put fifty yards between himself and the rest. When I seen the 1km to go kite I wondered briefly whether Gilbert had perhaps gone too soon and might the chasing Boasson Hagen, Valverde or Alexandr Kolobnev might bridge the gap, but it was only a brief wonder. Gilbert continued on and the gap continued to grow and only dropped to the four seconds on the line when he sat up and began his celebration.
Gilbert's victory makes him the 26th World road race champion from Belgium in the events 85 year history, joining the likes of Tom Boonen (2006) -- another favorite to win this year and who was in the mix for a long time before finishing 12th -- Johan Museeuw (1996), Rudy Dhaenens (1990), Claude Criquielion (1984), Freddy Maertens (1976 and 1981), and Eddy Merckx on a mighty three occasions (1967, 1971, and 1974). I might be from Northern Ireland and now living in Canada and thus have a soft spot for the Irishmen of Nicolas Roche and Dan Martin; the British lads such as Cavendish and the impressive Ian Stannard who really attacked the race yesterday; or the Canadians by way of Ryder Hesjedal who was ruled out of contention when he got caught up in a massive crash (he's had little luck since winning that Giro all those months ago), but I think everyone in World cycling has a soft spot for the Belgians because of the heritage they bring to the sport.
Belgium is cyclings heartland and while they may no longer dominate the grand tours as they once did, it's nice to see men like Gilbert and Boonen keep the flame alive in the Spring classics and indeed the World Championships.
