Desert chill for Fast Phil

The ‘other’ Belgian Classics king will hope for a more successful season than last, but Philippe Gilbert’s doomed attack on the second stage of the Tour of Qatar bore the hallmarks of his 2013 campaign, when his impressive and continual efforts did not bring the results they deserved. Rewind a little over 12 months, and Gilbert was up the road on stage four of the Tour Down Under, although on that occasion in the happy circumstance of doing justice to the rainbow jersey.

Now Gilbert is one of three ex-world champions on BMC Racing’s roster seeking to recapture the glory days. Thor Hushovd showed flickers of his finest form at last year’s Tour of Poland, and Cadel Evans delivered a superb performance as recently as last month in his home race. Gilbert will not really feel the burden of expectation until the Ardennes Classics, a triumvirate of races in which he completed a magnificent clean sweep in 2011. Most cycling fans will want to see Fast Phil back on the top step of the podium. His vicious and perfectly-timed acceleration the Cauberg to claim the rainbow jersey was a ride befitting a world champion.

A doomed effort in the desert showed that Gilbert will approach his 2014 campaign with the right spirit. The Walloonian will need results to match his commitment this season.