BASTOGNE (Belgium): Philippe Gilbert’s tour de force on the Cauberg climb during Sunday’s Amstel Gold Race did more than bring him a third title in the Netherlands, it also established him as the favourite for Wednesday’s Fleche Wallonne.

In a stunning demonstration of power and acceleration, the 31-year-old Belgian demonstrated he is back to the form that brought him an Ardennes Classics treble in 2011.

Back then he won his second Amstel Gold Race before going on to add Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege success as well.

And last Sunday when Gilbert attacked inside the final 3km on the steepest part of the punishing Cauberg climb, his ability to accelerate away from the competition and win by five seconds left his rivals gasping in awe and wonder.

“Gilbert was the strongest in the race. We saw that when he attacked on the Cauberg that we was strong enough to maintain that until the finish,” said Australian Simon Gerrans, who had to settle for third in Valkenburg.