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

Eurosport’s cycling expert Philippe Gilbert has cast doubt on Chris Froome’s ability to challenge for top honours at future Grand Tours after the four-time winner was omitted from the 2023 Tour de France by his Israel – Premier Tech team. 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. Ad But despite the 38-year-old’s optimistic outlook, Gilbert believes it will be difficult for him to compete with cycling’s best.

Tour de FranceFull list of teams and riders for the Tour de France as Froome misses out23/06/2023 AT 12:55 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.” Philippe Gilbert thinks Jumbo should attack Tadej Pogacar early at Tour de France Tour de France 2023 teams and riders for the 110th edition of the Grand Tour Egan Bernal makes Tour return for Ineos Gernadiers, Tom Pidcock also included 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.