29-31/08/2025 - Triptyque Ardennais (IC)

The three-day Triptyque Ardennais started under sunny conditions in the region around Vielsalm, Lierneux, and Gouvy. The 87-kilometer opening stage began quietly with a brief neutralization, but after twenty kilometers, the peloton was hit by a heavy rain shower that lasted for almost half an hour. The drop in temperature created severe conditions, causing nearly half of the 136 riders to abandon due to hypothermia. Gilles was able to keep up the pace smoothly for a long time but had to drop back at 72 kilometers due to stomach cramps and hypothermia, despite his legs feeling good. Riders who had covered at least three-quarters of the distance were allowed to proceed to the next stage. There was a slight sigh of relief. Gilles' team (GMS Cycling Team Glabbeek) saw its number of riders halved, but still managed to secure the stage victory and all the leader's jerseys.

The second day saw better weather conditions, with dry roads and a pleasant temperature of around 18 degrees. This time, Gilles chose not to make the same mistake as yesterday. Although not yet fully recovered from the exertions of day one, he rode a creditable race in service of his teammate in the yellow jersey. He helped control breakaways and was briefly part of an attack alongside the leader. Ultimately, the victory was sprinted for with a compact peloton, although a few late attackers managed to escape the sprint. In the general classification, the rider in second place finished just one second behind the yellow jersey. Gilles himself finished 25th, a result that gave him renewed confidence.

On the third and final day, 113 riders lined up at the start. Once again, Gilles opted for the thermal base layer, which proved to be a wise decision when rain fell from the sky again halfway through the stage, making the roads slippery. He focused entirely on defending his teammate's overall victory. Gilles took on a lot of the work by letting the peloton set the pace on the climbs and keeping breakaway attempts under control. After two-thirds of the stage, his task was complete, and he could concentrate on finishing the three-day race. The teammate ultimately managed to secure the leader's jersey and take home the overall victory.

Although Gilles was not entirely satisfied with his own results and the setback in the first stage, he looked back with satisfaction on the work he did for the team. His dedication and commitment to the team were appreciated with pats on the back and words of thanks.