The early season programme of Philippe Gilbert is mostly with the race planning for the upcoming Spring Classics season. After discussions with the management of his Omega Pharma – Lotto team he decided to line up for the 2011 Gent-Wevelgem race. Gent-Wevelgem takes place on March 27, 2011, one week before the Tour of Flanders.
Gilbert feels that the Flemish classic is an ideal preparation for the Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen), one of his major 2011 objectives. Don't count on the fact that Gilbert will merely see it as a preparation, though. Gilbert starts any race with the ambition to win and Gent-Wevelgem will be no exception. Gilbert is eyeing precious points for the UCI World classification.
Gilbert is known for strong season openings, having win the Omloop Het Volk twice (2006 and 2008). Gent-Wevelgem changed dates last year and is now held on the weekend before the Ronde van Vlaanderen. It moved from its traditional Wednesday spot between the Ronde and Paris-Roubaix. The course also changed from a 200km that could be won by a sprinter like Mario Cipollini (albeit in a small break) to a longer event. Last year the race was supposed to be 250 kilometers, but the race organizers decided to leave it at 220km. More climbs were added (16 in total), but how long the race will be this year remains to be seen.
The key part of the race is the Kemmelberg, a cobbled climb that has to be raced twice. From there, dropped riders will desperately attempt to catch back on with only a little more than 30km to the finish in Wevelgem. As usual, the Belgian wind and rain, possibly snow, ensures for an exciting final, even if it is mostly flat.
Gilbert was third last year, behind winner Bernhard Eisel and runner-up Sep Vanmarcke. George Hincapie stormed to a fourth place, confirming his classics form.
Gilbert has what it takes to succeed in the spring. He has won the Amstel Gold race (2010) and finished third in Milano-Sanremo (2008) and third in Liège - Bastogne - Liège (2010).
The Ronde van Vlaanderen remains the big objective for Gilbert. He finished in third place twice (2009 and 2010) and hopes to be two steps higher on April 3, 2011.