Belgian sprinter will be totally behind his team captain on Sunday
Belgian Philippe Gilbert is almost universally regarded as the outstanding favourite for the elite men’s World title on Sunday; he now has a valuable and apparently committed ally in his quest for the rainbow jersey in countryman and OmegaPharma-Lotto teammate Greg Van Avermaet.
Although the two Belgians will be riding for different teams next year, with the 25-year-old heading to BMC Racing, Van Avermaet says he’s happy to put himself at Gilbert’s disposal.
“I’m satisfied with my condition,” Van Avermaet told the Gazet Van Antwerpen, “but I have little or no ambition. Looking at Gilbert at the Vuelta [a España], it seems clear to me that he is the top favourite.”
For the Belgian the choice is simple, work for Gilbert and likely get a result for the team, or ride for himself and end up with very little. “With Gilbert we have someone who can finish,” he said. “In the Vuelta I worked for him twice and he won twice; that’s good.
“When I worked for myself I finished eighth [on stage 18 to Salamanca] which was worth nothing to me.”
The two riders have not always seen eye-to-eye; there often didn’t seem to be enough room on the team for Van Avermaet, the up-and-coming sprinter, and Gilbert, the prodigal son who joined the Belgian team in 2009 after spending his entire career in France.
Although cycling is a big sport in Belgium, OmegaPharma-Lotto often didn’t seem to be big enough for both riders. They have put any differences behind them now though, according to Van Avermaet, with both riders aiming for different targets.
“I’ve clicked with him,” he said, “Gilbert just can’t win the races that I can win.”
While their relationship remains largely a professional one, professional is what Van Avermaet will be in Sunday’s race.
“We’re probably not the best of friends,” he admitted, “but Philippe has seen that I can also ride a bike seriously. We have learned to respect each other.”
With Van Avermaet on side, Philippe Gilbert should find himself the undisputed leader of the Belgian team.