Runner-up Carlos Barredo (Rabobank) gives winner Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) a hand with the champagne. (Image credit: Susi Goetze for www.cyclinginside.com)
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Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) had time to savour his victory. (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma Lotto) (Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)
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Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) en route to San Sebastian victory. (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Future BMC teammates Philippe Gilbert and Cadel Evans see what's in store for them at the 2012 Tour de France. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Philippe Gilbert and Ben Swift chat (Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)
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Belgian champion Philippe Gilbert and Tour de France winner Cadel Evans. (Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)
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Mountains leader Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) outsprints Belgian champion Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) and points leader Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) for the stage victory. (Image credit: AFP)
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2011's Flèche Wallonne goes to a Walloon, Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto). (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Four wins in a row for Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
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Race winner Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) dons the yellow jersey. (Image credit: Elmar Krings)
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Amstel Gold Race: A family affair for Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto). (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) flanked by Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) and David Millar (Garmin-Cervelo). (Image credit: ispaphoto.com)
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Race leader Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) celebrates his victory in the penultimate stage. (Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)
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Liège-Bastogne-Liège: Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) completes his hat-trick. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Flèche Wallone: Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) knows he has the win in the bag. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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National hero Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lott) fights through the crowd (Image credit: Stephen Farrand)
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Belgian champion and Grand Prix de Wallonie winner Philippe Gilbert. (Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)
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Clasica San Sebastian victory Philippe Gilbert celebrates with Omega Pharma-Lotto teammate Jelle Vanendert. (Image credit: Dominic Schlerpf / cyclinginside.com)
Philippe Gilbert added another title to his superlative 2011 season, as he was named Belgian athlete of the year for the third consecutive year. He has received numerous other awards, including the Velo d'Or, and Cyclingnews readers voted him both Male Road Rider and all-around Rider of the Year.
The Belgian had 24 victories this season, including Fleche Wallonne, Amstel Gold Race, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, the first stage of the Tour de France, Clasica San Sebastian, and the Belgian national road and time trial titles.
Gilbert finished well ahead of brothers and track athletes Kevin and Jonathan Borlee, who were second and third.
“Such an election is always special and I'm very proud of this trophy,” he said, according to the Belga news agency.
“The fact that I beat top athletes like Kevin and Jonathan Borlee proves once again that we have many international qualities here in Belgium, “ he said. He also expressed his condolences to the victims of last week's shooting incident in Liege. “That touched me deeply.”
The award had an extra meaning as his Omega Pharma-Lotto teammate Jelle Vanendert presented it to him.“The prize was very special precisely because Jelle handed it to me. Jelle is not only a colleague but a real friend.”
After three years with Omega Pharma-Lotto, Gilbert will ride for BMC Racing Team in 2012.
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