Tour de La Provence: Philippe Gilbert motors on F1 circuitGorka Izagirre retains the lead with two seconds over Thibaut Pinot and Tony GallopinThe 2012 World Champion Philippe Gilbert of Deceuninck-Quick Step claimed the 75th victory of his pro career as he outsprinted the other 22 members of the front group on the Paul-Ricard car racing circuit of Le Castellet, home of the Formula 1 French Grand Prix. Closing in third place – despite being on antibiotics due to sickness – Tony Gallopin of AG2R-La Mondiale moved up on GC, now just two seconds adrift in the same time with Groupama-FDJ’s Thibaut Pinot. Despite a shortage of team-mates, Astana’s Gorka Izagirre retained the lead ahead of the conclusive stage.After the finish, stage winner Philippe Gilbert said: “It was a pretty fast sprint coming after a tight curve. I managed to get a good position and I launched my sprint 120 metres before the end. It was the right timing. I came to the Tour de La Provence to add racing miles, that’s why I didn’t try anything before and put all my eggs in the basket of a sprint finish. In a cycling season, there’s always the question on when to get the first win. A victory delivers confidence, rest and serenity. It’s my first one on a car racing circuit but I knew Le Castellet thanks to having trained here with BMC before a Team Time Trial World Championship. I’m delighted to leave it with the sweetness of a victory.”The GC leader Gorka Izagirre said: “It’s been a very difficult day. I saved myself well, but Groupama-FDJ were up there with three riders and they massacred me! I believe it’ll be another difficult day tomorrow because the gaps are very tight. Now Tony Gallopin will be another rider to watch out closely because he is only two seconds down.”Statistic of the day 75: The number of pro victories by Philippe Gilbert to dateThe stages:Sunday 17 February: Avignon to Aix-en-Provence, 173.3km.readfullarticle
