Philippe Gilbert tried to attack Tony Martin and the strong Omega Pharma-Quick Step team in the queen stage of the Tour of Belgium but failed to breack their stranglehold on the race. The former world champion came away with fourth place overall and the points jersey and says that he did all he could in an attempt to win the race.

BMC Racing Team's Philippe Gilbert captured the points classification and finished fourth overall Sunday at the Baloise Belgium Tour while teammate Greg Van Avermaet was third on the final stage. Gilbert finished sixth in the sprint at the end of the 178.7-kilometer race that was won by Paul Martens (Belkin Pro Cycling) ahead of Francesco Gavazzi (Astana Pro Team).

Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) won the overall classification by 16 seconds over Tom Dumoulin (Team Giant-Shimano) and 26 seconds over Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) while Gilbert was 38 seconds back.

"I would have preferred to be on the podium," Gilbert said, "but I tried my best the past five days. I took bonification seconds and I rode a good time trial and the last two stages I also tried."

Gilbert added the points title to the king of the mountains crown he captured last month at the Tour de Picardie.

"Everything you can win is important – for yourself and for the sponsorships," Gilbert said. 

Marcus Burghardt was an early animator for the BMC Racing Team, infiltrating a nine-man breakaway that was only brought back in the final 40 km.

"We tried to make the race hard again, so we raced from the start line," Burghardt said. "We always tried to keep the pressure on and were pushing hard at the front. On the final climbs, Silvan Dillier, Greg and Phil did a good job and tried to jump away, but I think Omega Pharma-Quick Step was too strong today."

Van Avermaet led out the sprint but was overtaken in the final meters.

"Unfortunately we didn't get the stage win," BMC Racing Team Sporting Manager Allan Peiper said. "But as a comprehensive team, we really rode well together and showed that we are a force."

Klaas Lodewyck did not start the final stage due to foot pain, BMC Racing Team Doctor Dario Spinelli said.