Philippe Gilbert ended his racing career last weekend in Paris-Tour, but the real goodbye came on Saturday.

Gilbert, a Belgian, decided to hold his farewell party in Valkenburg, just over the Dutch border, to ride the Cauberg, the course where he won the 2012 World Championships and the centerpiece of the four-time Amstel Gold Race.

Gilles, 40, raised his arms at the summit after "winning" the unofficial race ahead of old teammates like Fabio Jacobsen and Arnaud de Lier, as well as Tor Hushovd and Andre Greipel.

Gilbert joked that the 65-km route had no gifts for him, but of course there could only be one winner.

A few hours earlier, he had rolled around the course of the old World Championships, where more than 1,000 fans congratulated him.

A special post-race podium ceremony followed, where Gilbert received a guard of honor from his peers and then hung his bike on a hook to symbolize the end of his 20-year career.

"I couldn't have dreamed of anything more ...... It was perfect," Gilbert said, but the pouring rain did not dampen his spirits.

"If you had asked me how I wanted to end my career, I would have dreamed of a day like this."

Gilbert then showered, put on a tuxedo, and headed off to a private dinner with many of his career's most iconic figures. Greipel and Hushovd attended from Germany and Norway, while Gilbert's former boss at BMC Racing, Jim Ochowicz, attended from the United States.

Also making a special guest appearance was Eddy Merckx, who was a surprise guest on the podium. Riders included Niki Terpstra, Tim DeClercq, Jürgen Laurantz, Julien Vermote, Johan Vanthammeren, and Axel Merckx.

Thus Gilbert put an official end to a 20-year career that included 80 wins, including world titles, four Amstel and five Monument wins: the Tour of Flanders (2017), Paris-Roubaix (2019), Liège-Bastogne-Liège ( 2011), Il Lombardia (2009, 2010).

The victory in Liège was part of a 2011 all-conquering campaign that included the Ardennes Cuadruple, the opening stage of the Tour de France, and the Belgian road race and time trial titles, such as Brabants Pays, Amstel, Flèche Wallonne, and Liège This was brought about as part of the He also won the Strade Bianche, Clasica San Sebastian, and the Grand Prix of Quebec.

A video montage of Gilbert's "Last Ride" event can be seen below.