Philippe Gilbert, the former world champion and this year’s Paris-Roubaix winner, has signed with Lotto-Soudal for the next three years.
The Belgian last month turned 37 years,
with his new deal set to bring him to the end of the 2022 seaon when he will be
40-years-old.
However, his new employers believe his
age is not an issue, saying Gilbert can both race for his own results and help
lift the younger riders on the team.
“His age is a relative term, you are as
old or fit as you feel,” said Lotto-Soudal sports manager Marc Sergeant.
“He still has that big urge to prove
himself and he is go-getter, that is his secret. In terms of race schedule, it
has always been a rider who is active from February till October.
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“Certain Flemish and Walloon Classics
are perfectly compatible, to play a decisive role himself or to pass on his
experience and strengthen the team.”
Gilbert
himself said he was still hungry for the pro cyclist’s lifestyle and to win
more races. He also believed the team had lacked a leader and he wanted to
instil some direction.
When he was told by his current team Deceuninck-QuickStep
it would only offer him a one-year contract extension, he said he wanted to a change.
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“Primarily, my goals are to be found in
the one-day races and the big Classics,” he said of his ambitions having been a
pro since 2002.
“Lotto Soudal gets stronger and
stronger; we need to fight against the absolute top teams, not by expressing
big ambitions beforehand, but by getting results.
“The past few years, I watched the team
from outside and I think they maybe lacked a real leader in those races.
“I want to try to lift the team to a
higher level, by performing myself but also by making other riders better.
“It gives me just as much pleasure if
they would show themselves important or if they would be able to win.
“Discipline and joy are the key factors
to stay a pro cyclist for so long. I still leave for training at the same hour,
I do what I have to do, I don’t skip training rides...
“That and a strong body help to stay
competitive at a high level,” he said, adding he would now ride the Vuelta,
World Championships and Tour of Lombardy,
“I want to conclude my time at
Deceuninck-QuickStep as good as possible, preferably with a victory,” he said.
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