Philippe Gilbert wants to end his cycling career with one last victory in Paris-Tours - "I still want to go for it one last time"

Philippe Gilbert is set to ride his last professional race this Sunday. Paris-Tours is a special event for him as he was the winner of the 2009 and 2008 editions.

“Racing with the thought of being the last time will be really special”, says Gilbert. He continues, “And to say goodbye in Paris-Tours will be something unique. In the past, the race was one of 260 kilometres on the highest level. I immediately noticed that the final, with lots of opportunities to attack, was made for me. In 2008, I could win it for the first time, and despite two earlier victories at the Omloop Het Volk, Paris-Tours always felt like my first big and symbolic win.”

The rider wants to create one last special memory with another victory to make it three. “With the gravel sectors, it’s not the same race as the editions I won, but I still want to go for it one last time. The legs feel good, I’ve worked hard the last couple of months so I hope to be up there in the final with the best,” described Gilbert.

In the span of his twenty-year career, he has gathered more than 80 victories. “I kept on working hard to obtain my goals, and I have lived lots of beautiful moments. But I especially hope that people will remember me as an attractive rider who tried to animate the race. I’ve always loved this style of racing, and I hope that I inspired the new generation”, concludes Gilbert.