Philippe Gilbert is no stranger at the top end of the Belgian National Championships - he is however, a stranger to the top step. The Walloon has a brilliant record of near wins over the past three years: 2nd in Antwerp in 2006, 3rd in Ronse in 2007, and 2nd in Leuven in 2009. Gilbert has peppered every piece of the podium save for the top step. He hopes to change that on Sunday on a course that looks perfect for the explosive rider's abilities.
Gilbert is unwilling to look too far ahead though, following his history of near misses, with 2009 his most painful: "After the lesson from last year, I've learned that you don't sell the bear's skin until you've killed him."
"We will try to control the race. I feel well enough to fight for the title, and I can play my card in the final. I will play my weapon of a late attack, but there is no guarantee that it will work."
Gilbert's teammate, or perhaps soon to be ex-teammate, Greg Van Avermaet, isn't leaving his own ambitions at home: "We'll see how the race goes. The results of recent years have proved that I am a championship contender as well."
Gilbert has enjoyed a continuation of his record-setting Autumn run in 2009. His finishes from start to finish over the Spring are nothing to be scoffed at and show a rider that is reaching a truly unique prime - as a rider able to contend over nearly every terrain. The results from over the Classics season speak for themselves: 9th Milan-Sanremo, 3rd Gent Wevelgem, 3rd Tour of Flanders, 5th Brabantse Pijl, 1st Amstel Gold Race, 6th Fleche Wallonne, 3rd Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Following his impressive spring, a rest was his just reward, before returning at full bore at the end of May for the Tour of Belgium. A stage win and an eventual fourth overall was only clouded by an unfortunate flat that saw any chance of overall glory dashed.
With the loss of Tom Boonen for this weekend and beyond, it's difficult to come up with another rider that can come close to the class of Gilbert over the difficult course the riders will face on Sunday. As Gilbert was quick to remind though - he won't be counting his chickens before they hatch…or rather, selling the bearskin before he shoots it.