Omega Pharma-Lotto was again seen doing the majority of work on stage four in the Tour de France yesterday, with the hope of another stage victory for Philippe Gilbert. It was not to be however, as the Belgian champion admitted he did not have the legs to beat the likes of Cadel Evans and Alberto Contador.
In what was seen as a debatable move, Gilbert chased down teammate Jurgen Van den Broeck when he accelerated and distanced himself from the leaders. Onlookers suggested that Gilbert might have panicked and had only split seconds to decide what to do.
"I have my own opinion with respect to that. But he did not do it deliberately. It's just racing. And anyway, my goal is the general classification" Van den Broeck told Het Nieuwsblad.
Van den Broeck also told Belgian television Sporza that Gilbert did not have the same strength he had on stage one when he won and took the Tour’s first yellow jersey.
"Maybe he made a tactical error. It was not for him to do that. If he just sat on and left the initiative with Contador, Evans and [Alexander] Vinokourov, and let himself drift along, he may have won the sprint."
The team leaders are reported to have discussed the matter at dinner last night with Van den Broeck looking ahead to what’s still to come in the race.
“Oh, I would not elaborate,” he said. “Phil and I had the evening together talking. As teammates. At large mostly as adult men. So yeah. Shit happens, you know. Something can always happen.”
Gilbert had been determined to win the stage as it was taking place on his birthday.
Van den Broeck is the leader on Omega Pharma-Lotto for the overall classification. He finished in the same group yesterday as stage winner Evans, gaining seconds on rivals such as Andy Schleck, Robert Gesink and Bradley Wiggins. Last year he finished fifth overall in the race. He showed his strong form recently when he won the opening stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné, and will hope to show similar benefits from high altitude training in the Tour.