The recent success for the Silent Lotto cycling team continued on the weekend with Philippe Gilbert claiming his second consecutive Paris-Tours crown.

The 230km race saw over 150 riders tackle the journey, with big names Oscar Freire, Filippo Pozzato, and Arnaud Gerard all on the starting line.

But on a beautiful spring afternoon it was Gilbert who outshone the others. The Belgium rider fought it out in a two way battle with countrymen Tom Boonen for the coveted prize.

It was a case of revenge for Gilbert who was narrowly pipped by Boonen in the Belgian championship title earlier this year. With only 300 meters remaining the duo broke away from the main paleton in an attacking sprint.

Slovakian Borut Bozic, who broke away initially with the two, could not go with the lightning pace and finished two seconds behind in third position.

Katusha’s Filippo Pozzato led the main chasing group home for fourth, a further 14 seconds behind.
Gilbert was overjoyed in the occasion and revealed how he left a bit in the tank, knowing that his main rival would be hot on his heels.

“I saved myself just until the end. When I attacked, I picked my spot perfectly, it was a planned spot,” he said.

“When I am in a position like that, I am confident and so I was not afraid of Tom Boonen.”

Gilbert won the race last year in a similar manner ahead of Belgian Jan Kuyckx and Frenchman Sébastien Turgot.