With a fourth place in the Belgian National Time Trial, Philippe Gilbert has finally finished his spring. "I ended the first part of the season with a positive feeling," said the winner of the Amstel Gold Race after the Belgian TT. 

The Belgian National TT takes place traditionally in August, but the organization chose May 1 this year as it was just after the Ardennes season so many of the Belgian riders were still in peak form but unfortunately the TT takes place during both the Tour of Tureky and the Tour of Romandie.

"I would like to know how many cobblestone specialists would be if they have a few days before Paris - Roubaix ridden here at the start," Gilbert told La Dernière Heure. "On Monday I jumped on my time trial bike, but a real preparation was no question."

Gilbert eventually came on strong in the final to ride to a very respectable fourth place. "And now it's time for rest," says Gilbert. "Since November I totally concentrated on the bike and the Spring Classics. Only after Milan-Sanremo, I just took some rest."

"But Monday (the day after his fan day in Aywaille) I leave the bike for a week and rest. I will enjoy my family. This is a real holiday, as I am often away from home."

Gilbert also knows when he will resume the competition.   "I appear at the start of the Tour de Picardie, because I am good friends with Jean-François Pescheux (the former race director of the Tour de France). Afterwards the Tour of Belgium, because I love racing in my own country.”

"I close the first part of 2014 with a good feeling. I had a great classics period and won Amstel and I know that the team is satisfied with me."