Philippe Gilbert: "Remco is a real winner, a real fighter, and he likes when it’s even harder"

The last Belgian world champion, Philippe Gilbert, watched Remco Evenepoel's rainbow jersey-winning ride at Wollongong 2022 in awe. Although Gilbert wanted Evenepoel to win the championship, he couldn’t help but appreciate the new World Champion after such a thrilling win.

“It was a long attack," Gilbert told Eurosport. "He went clear with 25k to go. We were really cheering in the last k’s, living the emotions like him. It was really nice. He deserved the title because he did all the work in the final by himself and in the selection. When he’s on his own pace like that, in TT mode, he’s invincible,” Gilbert said.

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Every media outlet will focus on Evenepoel's movements now that he is World Champion, and Gilbert, who has dealt with this situation, believes that Evenepoel knows how to handle the pressure and turn it to his advantage. " It’s a kick for him to answer the people," he says. "Remco is a real winner, a real fighter, and he likes when it’s even harder.”

After winning the red jersey earlier this month, Evenepoel has not travelled back to Belgium. Upon his return home, Gilbert says he is sure to be welcomed with an ecstatic welcome.

“He’s gonna be invited by the king of Belgium in the grand place of Brussels. It’s going to be full of people, and he really deserves it. I think it’s going to be a really nice moment,” concluded the Former World Champion.