Philippe Gilbert has said he has been fined €100 for riding outdoors in Monaco where he lives.
The former world champion and last year’s Paris-Roubaix
winner said he accepted he had to lead by example and that he deserved to be
fined.
However, he added professional riders had been permitted
to ride outdoors before Covid19 restrictions were tightened and he had gone out
for an hour for a change of scene and some fresh air.
He made his remarks in a news story and interview with the
Monaco Info broadcasting channel.
“We had found an 11km lap that we did three or four times
in a row and that allowed us to get some fresh air for an hour,” he said.
“At one point, we were arrested and I was fined €100. By
virtue of our status, there is no free pass.
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“Every citizen is equal before the law. Just because I won Paris-Roubaix last year doesn’t mean I have more rights than another person. As a public person, I have to set an example.”
Gilbert, who also owns a bike shop in Monaco, said he would not stick to the home trainer when getting his miles in.
In many parts of Europe, including Monaco, riding
outdoors is not allowed at all or is restricted to short distances close to
home, as is the case in Ireland.
However, in Britain and Belgium there are no such restrictions and riders can cycle on the open roads as far as they like.
Gilbert is now aged 37 years and first began riding for La Française des Jeux back in 2002.
He departed Deceuninck-Quick Step at the end of last year and joined Lotto-Soudal on a three-year contract that will bring him up to the end of 2022.
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