The cycling trade is likely to be passed down in the Gilbert family. Philippe Gilbert’s son, Alan, recently went for a training ride with none other than Tadej Pogacar. And what’s most shocking about this story? The way the 14-year-old youngster came about to this unique appointment.
In the show Dans le Peloton of RTL, it was his father, Philippe Gilbert, who confided in this great moment. Clearly, the idea came directly from his son. “It’s crazy,” joked the former rider. “And that says a lot about Pogacar, who is still passionate. And it’s true that responding to a 14-year-old kid…,” he then rejoiced. To be able to train with Pogacar, the teenager showed diplomacy and nerve.
“He just sent him a WhatsApp message, I didn’t know about it,” Gilbert reveals. “Tadej wrote to me the next day. He said, ‘Listen, your son wants to go for a ride. I suggest we go for a ride with three of us a little later, when I have a quiet day,'” he explains.
Finally, Gilbert gave him the green light. “The next day, they went for a ride. He did about 10 km with him. Because afterwards, Tadej, it’s true that he rides very, very fast even in training. So, it was hard to follow,” he said laughing.
