2023-07-24 14:25:14
The controversy has been driving Twitter for a few hours. It all starts with a Facebook post published by Philippe Gilbert on the occasion of the Belgian National Day. In this one, a caricature of the former racing cyclist can be seen lifting his bike in victory as he steps on a Flemish flag.
Very quickly, the image aroused questions and provoked indignant editorial staff in Flanders, including that of the NV-A federal deputy Theo Francken who posted a scathing tweet a few hours later: “This Walloon walks on the flag of the people who maintains his. He himself has been living in Monaco tax-free for years. So once there is a rich Walloon who could show solidarity with his impoverished people, he will surely flee. So as not to have to show solidarity. »
“No implied”
Contacted by us, the former champion, now a very popular media consultant, concedes a little clumsiness but denies having wanted to express any political opinion. He also wanted to clarify the meaning of the caricature.
“There is no message or innuendo to be perceived, no political connotation to be found there. It’s just a caricature that was made by a Flemish artist after my success in the Tour of Flanders (2017), in the Belgian champion’s jersey “locates the Remoucastrian, whose attachment to the country is known to all, and for a very long time – need we remember that Phil did part of his young rider classes in Flanders and that he very quickly spoke Dutch? “At the time, everyone found the symbol very strong: a Walloon who wins the Ronde, 30 years after Claudy Criquielion, with the black-yellow-red on his back, there was nothing more beautiful to express my attachment to Belgium. » « Bringing out this caricature for July 21st was perhaps an unfortunate choice, I realized it after the fact and apologize to Dutch-speaking friends who could have been challenged by this choice of image. As you know, my friends are just as Flemish as Walloon and above all, in my heart, they are Belgian. I am very, very far from the separatist and regional debates of our country. »
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