On Saturday, Philippe Gilbert in the Velodux, an urban cyclo-cross race for pairs held in the Swiss town of Estavayer-Le-Lac and organized by Red Bull. Alongside his partner Danilo Wyss from BMC Racing Team, he finished 15th in the race that also welcomed Julien Abasalon.

Gilbert and Wyss finished one lap behind the winners Lars Forster and Michi Wildhaber. 

"It was a very technical course. Very demanding, not just physically. It was not an easy race. The first two laps were very painful, I felt better afterwards," Gilbert said.

Nevertheless, the Walloon was satisfied. 

"Cyclocross is an old passion. Normally we can not participate in this type of competition, but this was an exception. I realized I did not have the technique or the speed. Compared to the specialists who were here, I was a very small fish, but it was fun. I'm glad to have done the race, "he said.

The participants (30 pairs) faced a 2.8 kilometer circuit with pave and stairs

"One day in Velodux. Lots of fun with Philippe Gilbert," tweeted Wyss.

In 2014, Gilbert won the classics Brabantse Pijl and Amstel Gold Race and the stage races Ster ZLM Toer and Tour of Beijing.