"I am really very happy" - Philippe Gilbert over the moon with surprise comeback to winning ways

Philippe Gilbert was a surprise winner of today's stage at the 4 Jours de Dunkerque, after bringing Lotto Soudal a strong victory in the uphill sprint at Mont-Saint-Éloi.

In a post-race interview today, Gilbert said: “I did my best today and tried to finish it together with Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, who is new to the team. We knew we could do good business today for the general classification, but we could also have a shot at the stage win. It's been a really, really long time since I've been able to win again. So I am really very happy.”

“I now know that I can still do it, win. That's nice to experience," Gilbert added. His last taste of victory was at the 2019 Vuelta a España, and this was in fact his first triumph since joining Lotto Soudal in 2020. With the Belgian team in search of UCI points, they've sent a strong lineup to the French race but despite having had Arnaud de Lie abandon in a mass crash, they are having Gilbert in a promising position for the overall win.

"It will be tough. We really look at it day by day. There are still many contenders. It is a game of seconds so it is important to pay attention," he concluded. Sunday's circuit around Cassel will be decisive, and the veteran will be counting on his experience in the cobbles to succeed once again.