BMC’s Philippe Gilbert opened his European racing season Saturday with third place at Classic Sud Ardèche
![]() |
Philippe Gilbert Third At Classic Sud Ardèche
Gilbert avoided a crash in one of the last turns of the 194.8-kilometer race to finish behind winner Florian Vachon (Bretagne-Séché Environnement) and runner-up Michal Golas (Omega Pharma-Quick Step).
“I knew it was important to make that turn in the first position because it was very narrow, with a bad road and a lot of risk,” Gilbert said. “I made the turn in fifth but one of first guys crashed, so I had to brake. It was the same for everybody – we all had to brake. So the winner was the guy who shifted the fastest to have the right gear and start again, because after the corner it was less than 200 meters.”
Earlier, the past world road champion had been part of a group of a dozen riders who got a gap inside of 30 km to go. But Gilbert said the situation was not to his liking. “I looked behind and saw Quick Step chasing with a group of about 40 guys, so I decided to save some power because I knew they were going to come back,” he said. After a group of six escaped with about 20 km to go, the BMC Racing Team went to work to help with the chase. Ben Hermans combined with Tour du Haut Var Stage 2 winner Amaël Moinard and past Olympic road champion Samuel Sánchez to make the catch as the race reached the final kilometer.
“It was good job by Ben, Amaël and Samuel to work hard in the last 10 kilometers for Philippe,” BMC Racing Team Sport Director Yvon Ledanois said. “They were working well together.” Gilbert’s result was his best on the season, improving on an eighth-place result in the individual time trial at the Tour of Qatar.
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU 10m TT
- TT Result: Gillingham & Dist Whs Hardriders
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU 25m TT
- Startlist: Azets Spring Classic
- SUNDAY: CiCLE Classic (Women/Junior Men)
- The Pedal Club: March Report
- Sportive raising money for charity: Dartmoor Classic
- TT Result: Maidenhead & District CC 15m TT
- TT Result: Manchester & District TTA Time Trial
- TT Result: Cardiff Ajax CC 10m TT
- TT Result: Yorkshire Cycling Federation 10m TT
- TT Result: Pendle Forest CC Hilly TT
- TT Result: Plomesgate CC 10m TT
- Crit Results: Exeter University Early Season Crits
- Crit Result: March Hare Classic
- Crit Result: Haus RT Darley Moor #3
- Crit Result: No Nonsense Circuit Races 1
- Crit Result: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
- RR Result: Halesowen Academy Road Race
- Track Result: First Division Manchester Track League
- Crit Result: LUCC Spring Crit Series 2
- Crit Result: Spokes RT Season Starter 2
- TT Result: Banbury Star CC Hardriders TT
- TT Result: Tavistock Whs Sporting TT
- TT Result: Maldon & District CC Hilly TT
- HC Result: Darlington CC Hill Climb
- TT Result: Barrow Central Wheelers 20.2m TT
- TT Result: GTR – Return To Life Two Up TT
- Crit Result: Brownlee Centre (Leeds)
- RR Result: The Peaks Two Day (Day 2)
- RR Result: The Peaks Two Day (Day 1)
- Classic News: 63rd Wally Gimber trophy
- Product News: Time Trial Tyre
- Crit Result: Westpoint Youth Stage Race
- Video Interviews 2023: Ollie Peckover
- British Road Championships at Redcar/Saltburn
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU 21m TT
- Track Result: First Division Manchester Track League
- Crit Result: Full Gas Spring Rumble Series #2
- TT Result: City RC Hull 2-Up TTT
Other News on VeloUK
- Startlist: Azets Spring Classic
- SUNDAY: CiCLE Classic (Women/Junior Men)
- The Pedal Club: March Report
- Sportive raising money for charity: Dartmoor Classic
- Classic News: 63rd Wally Gimber trophy
- Product News: Time Trial Tyre
- British Road Championships at Redcar/Saltburn
- STARTLIST: Junior Men/Women’s CiCLE Classic
- Entry List: The Peaks 2 Day (18/19 March)
- News: Conti’s Strongest GP 5000 Tyre
- Startlist: Harold H Nelson Memorial Day of Racing
- Team News: Halesowen A & CC Academy 2023
- News: Saint Piran Women to go UCI
- NEWS: 2023/24 Cyclocross National Trophy/Champs
- Startlists: Proper North Road Race Series (Capenwray)
- 61st Eddie Soens – Rider List
- World Masters Track Championships 2023
- News: Contiki support women’s cycling initiative
- EVENTS: Portsmouth’s Mountbatten Centre
- News: Ribble Launch Collective to Ride As One
- Startlist: 39th Jock Wadley Memorial RR
- News: 3 weeks to Women’s & Junior Men’s CiCLE Classics
- News: New Moda Bikes for Cycling Sheffield
- News: The Pedal Club Lunch (February)
- News: Alice Towers Debuts for Canyon/SRAM
- Startlist: VC St Raphael Classic TT
- News: Trinity Announces 2023 Team
- News: Cycling Brands LTD to Launch Crowdfunding Campaign
- Q&A with young organiser James Hawkins
- Q&A: Erin Murphy (Alba Dev Road Team)
- Team Feature: Hutchinson/Brother UK
- Events: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
- Events: RCR Fatcreations Road Race
- Team News: DAS Handsling Women’s UCI Team
- News: GB for European Track Championships
- Q&A: Sophie Lankford (Alba Team)
- News: Rayner Foundation’s Gateway Project
- News: Star Names Sign up for Saint Piran 05/03 Team
- News: 58th Perfs Pedal RR
- News: GB Team for CX Worlds