Philippe welcomes us with a hot coffee. The house is filled with decades of memorabilia from his countless victories. On the wall hangs a photo of his 2012 World Championship win on the Cauberg — one of our destinations for the day.
Born in Remouchamps, Philippe grew up in the very same region where the Côte de La Redoute rises. He claimed Liège–Bastogne–Liège in 2011, but it was the Amstel Gold Race where he truly left his mark, winning four times on the Cauberg — now affectionately called the “Philberg” by fans. Add in the rainbow jersey from his Worlds win, and it's fair to say he’s the one man who can truly introduce us to this tale of two hills.
We roll out early in the morning for a bike check — Philippe’s setup gleaming with the Classified aero crankset, powered by the revolutionary Powershift Hub.As the sun breaks through the clouds, we tackle La Redoute once more — this time with the best of both worlds: a 1x drivetrain paired with the versatility and performance of a 2x system. Who better than Philippe to show how tech can truly make the difference?
The journey to Valkenburg is short, almost as if the two climbs are speaking to each other.“The Cauberg is a special climb for me and today, the final at the Amstel is very much like in the past. The wind direction plays a big role - if it’s tailwind, you can use it to your advantage. The one who goes full has the biggest chance to win.”
Back home, we’re left reflecting on the evolution of cycling — not just the tech, but the timeless spirit of the sport. Philippe connects La Redoute and the Cauberg, yes — but also past and present, tradition and innovation, generations of riders obsessed with performance and racing.
À bientôt, Philippe.