Philippe Gilbert is 'Flandrien of the year'
Philippe Gilbert was chosen by his colleagues as 'Flandrien of the year'. The traditional yearly honour went to Philippe Gilbert ahead of Tom Boonen and Stijn Devolder.
A professional jury chose the cyclists that were nominated for the prestigious honour, but the cyclists themselves have the last word on who receives the award. Philippe Gilbert reacted from Italy where he had just won the Tour of Lombardy. He was very pleased and touched by the prize. "I place a lot of value on this. I rode well and got results- and they were appreciated."
Philippe Gilbert won the Tour of Lombardy, his 4th victory in a row
Gilbert won the Tour of Lombardy on Saturday in his fourth consecutive victory in 10 days after also winning the Coppa Sabatini, Paris-Tours and Grande Piemonte races.
The 27-year-old Gilbert is the first Belgian to win the race since Fons de Wolf in 1980.
The Tour of Lombardy is the final race of the ProTour series and traditionally brings down the curtain on the European season.
The 2010 ProTour begins with the Tour Down Under in Australia on Jan. 19.
