Philippe Gilbert triumphs at Classica San Sebastian

Belgian cyclist Philippe Gilbert’s incredible season continues with Omega-Pharma Lotto’s one day specialist attacking a group of favourites on a flat after the final categorized climb to win the Classica San Sebastian in Spain. Rabobank’s Carlos Barredo, the 2009 champion, was runner up and Greg Van Avermaet of BMC took third. This is yet another impressive addition to Gilbert’s 2011 palmares: he won the Amstel Gold, Fleche Wallonne and Leige-Bastogne-Liege in the spring and took the first stage and yellow jersey of the Tour de France earlier this month.

Gilbert gets to wear the prize of a large Basque beret, or txapela, after shooting off from a select group soon following Barredo’s capture about three kilometres from the finish. In that group were Sammy Sanchez, Frank Schleck, Joaquim Rodriguez, Ivan Basso and Haimar Zubeldia. The Belgian powered away from the bunch and Barredo left it late to chase after him.

Gilbert will be coming to Canada in early September to race the two Grand Prix Cycliste events in Quebec. He’ll be among the favourites to win the World Championships in Copenhagen two weeks later.