Driver who robbed Philippe Gilbert given suspended sentence

Belgian Philippe Gilbert of Lotto Soudal pictured during the presentation of a book covering the career of Belgian cyclist Philippe Gilbert ahead of the one day cycling event called Phils last ride an event where Belgian cyclist Philippe Gilbert will ride his last cycling race in Valkenburg The Netherlands Saturday 15 October 2022 The criterium will last one hour and will be held with start and finish on the Cauberg BELGA PHOTO DAVID STOCKMAN Photo by DAVID STOCKMAN BELGA MAG Belga via AFP Photo by DAVID STOCKMANBELGA MAGAFP via Getty Images
Philippe Gilbert (Image credit: Getty Images)

A 20-year-old who robbed former pro cyclist Philippe Gilbert has been handed a six-month suspended sentence and will lose his license for eight months.

The incident happened only a few months into his retirement from the sport on February 5 when Gilbert was driving between Manosque and Villeneuve in Provence, France, with his family, according to the Dauphiné Libéré.

Gilbert had the presence of mind to record the driver's license plate and film some of the incident to help the authorities identify the man. 

According to reports, the perpetrator did not appear at the criminal proceedings, but Gilbert was able to identify the attacker, and the air pistol police recovered from the glove box of the suspect's vehicle.

The accused was finally sentenced this week to six months in prison along with a five-year suspended sentence, a ban on possessing a weapon, and an eight-month suspension of his driver's license.

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Laura Weislo
Managing Editor

Laura Weislo is a Cyclingnews veteran of 20 years. Having joined in 2006, Laura extensively covered the Operacion Puerto doping scandal, the years-long conflict between the UCI and the Tour de France organisers ASO over the creation of the WorldTour, and the downfall of Lance Armstrong and his lifetime ban for doping. As Managing Editor, Laura coordinates coverage for North American events and global news.