Unknown ascent to Chieti proved slightly too long for Belgian classics star
Philippe Gilbert finished tenth yesterday in stage four of Tirreno-Adriatico, after showing his usual aggressiveness on the final slope up to Chieti. The Belgian admitted that the climb was a little too tough for him and said that the results was an honest reflection of the capabilities of the riders.
A section of around 1,000 meters with an average of 12 percent made the riders work hard for their money. “That was an enormous climb,” Gilbert told Sportwereld after the race. “I didn’t know it and I had no idea how long it really was.”
He may also think about placing his friends and families at a better spot next time. “At a certain moment I saw my folks standing there. I thought this was the end [of the climb]. But after that there was another steep section that really killed me.” The only thing then was to make it to the finish somehow. “I was at my limit, the lactic acid was burning all over,” Gilbert said. “In my arms, in my legs.”
He admitted that he started thinking, which was the end of his stage winning ambitions. “You start calculating; 500 meter, which is still two minutes. That is really long.”
Gilbert was asked if he should have waited longer with his attack to have something left in the end. “Well, maybe I made a mistake when I followed [stage winner Michele] Scarponi. But would that have been really better? No, these climbs don’t hold any secrets. The result is honest, I am on the place I deserve.”