Will we see a dominant Gilbert in 2012?

Philippe Gilbert could do no wrong in 2011. He undeniably enjoyed the most successful year of his career, which eventually ended with 18 victories. Winning a race nearly every month of the season, he embarrassed other members of the peloton from February (when he took out his first win in the Volta ao Algarve) to September when he won the GP de Wallonie. Sandwiched in the middle were all three Ardennes classics and a Tour de France stage win amongst others.

Rumour has it when he went about his lavatory business, even that smelled as fresh as roses as he went about the kind of year that most pro’s can only dream of. I even suggested that whenever he entered a race, the governing body and race organisers should allow the rider who finishes second behind Gilbert to put up his hands in celebration as there were two different races on the go. Needless to say this was ignored. Party poopers.

In professional cycling, once a rider starts winning races, he isn’t given the luxury of freely going on the attack from the peloton. This was irrelevant in 2011 because when The Gilbert Show started, few.. wait, none, were able to respond.

The question now remains, will the Belgian be able to emulate 2011 as he switches teams to the big money BMC Racing team? Many have questioned the move, as he’ll be joining other high profile riders like Tour de France champion Cadel Evans and Thor Hushovd. The truth is, BMC Racing was probably one of the only teams who could afford him and will provide him with a great support structure. Way more than he had at Omega Pharma-Lotto. Not that he needed it.

In my opinion, it will be tough to win 18 races again. I will go so far as to say that he won’t. Of course I am not brave enough to put money against it as only a stupid man would. One thing is for sure, Gilbert will come close to that number and when he does win (especially the world championships), it will be impressive.