04-05/10/2025 - La Philippe Gilbert (UCI)

Aywaille – Last weekend, the two-day UCI race 'La Philippe Gilbert' was on the program, a race that lives up to its name with tough climbs, unpredictable weather, and a formidable international field of participants. Among the 136 riders was Gilles, who put up a valiant fight in this prestigious race.

Day 1: battle against the elements

The opening stage on Saturday featured a challenging 87.3-kilometer course around Aywaille, accounting for around 1,000 meters of elevation gain. The start took place under changeable skies: alternating showers and a strong wind made things difficult for the riders. Nevertheless, Gilles felt good in his legs and managed to slip into a breakaway group on the final local lap.

As predicted, it came down to a mass sprint, but the conditions were far from ideal. Due to the rain, the temperature dropped by no less than 9 degrees to below 10°C. The peloton crossed the finish line hypothermic, and Gilles – who is somewhat more sensitive to the cold due to his thin layer of fat – had to drop back in the final 800 meters. He ultimately finished 76th, just 50 seconds behind the winner. An impressive performance given the circumstances.

Day 2: surviving on La Redoute

Sunday's program featured a 117.6-kilometer stage with a list of famous climbs, including La Redoute twice – a formidable leg-breaker. Gilles was better prepared for the erratic weather and rode a smart race. While the door was frequently left open at the back of the peloton and riders dropped off, he was able to hold his ground relatively easily.

However, less than 10 kilometers from the finish, disaster struck: his gears went into crash mode due to the poor condition of the Ardennes roads. A quick bike change followed, and on a descent he managed to rejoin the peloton, just before the foot of La Redoute. But a spare bike is never ideal, and it turned into a tough final climb. Gilles persevered and reached the finish in 80th place.

Strong season, strong finisher

Although the results are not yet where Gilles would like to see them, his participation in this top race is a fitting culmination of a strong season. He held his own among international top riders, including the newly crowned world champion, and proved that he belongs in this peloton. With character and great perseverance, he keeps taking another step forward.