Philippe Gilbert: Chris Froome ‘had his chances and it’s over’ but Mark Cavendish can break Eddy Merckx record

Froome has vowed to “refocus objectives later in the season” and pledged to bounce back at the Tour de France in 2024 following the snub.

But despite the 38-year-old’s optimistic outlook, Gilbert believes it will be difficult for him to compete with cycling’s best.

Asked about Froome’s future prospects, Gilbert said: “Success [at Grand Tours], I don’t think so.

“He’s still able to do some good stages, I think he was twice third last year in stages. I have the feeling that’s quite the maximum that he can do today.

“And with one more year in the legs, it will not become better.

“Unfortunately I think he had his chances and it’s over today.”

Meanwhile, Gilbert has backed Mark Cavendish to secure a win at the Tour de France and go ahead of the legendary Eddy Merckx for the most stage wins in the famous Grand Tour.

Cavendish won four stages in the 2021 edition of the race to move level with Merckx on 34 victories.

The 38-year-old was controversially omitted from the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team for the 2022 race and has since signed a deal to join Astana Qazaqstan.

Cavendish clinched a win for the team when landing the final stage of the Giro d’Italia – which came a few days after he had confirmed his retirement at the end of the season.

Gilbert said: “I really believe it [that he will beat Merckx’s record].

“I was also sure that he would win one at the Giro – we had to wait until the last day [sprint].

“And honestly I was really happy that he did it. It was important for his health and for the confidence of the team.

“I think that win will give him more support inside the team, I think that his team-mates will fight even more for him, they don’t have the best experience but I think they will have the right mentality to do that.

“If he wins that stage, I will be really happy, I think a lot of people will be happy but he can be really proud because breaking this record is not an easy challenge.

“I really support him in this challenge and I hope he will make it.”

Gilbert added: “I hope he doesn’t retire straightaway [if he wins a stage early in the Tour], because imagine if he wins in Paris one more time, it will be the fifth time he wins there.

“He doesn’t need my suggestions, but I will suggest for him to finish the Tour and to try to win in Paris.”

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