Philippe Gilbert was fined €100 for training outdoors in Monaco against the blockade measures implemented during the coronavirus outbreak.

Residents of Monaco are only allowed to exercise outdoors for short periods of time near their homes, so professional athletes based in the principality are limited to home trainers and short runs outdoors.

Gilbert attempted to do his bike training on an 11-km circuit just outside his home in Monaco. The Lotto Soudal rider told Monaco Info earlier this week that he accepted the penalty and is now only training indoors.

"All citizens are equal before the law. Just because I won Paris-Roubaix last year doesn't mean I have more rights than anyone else. The fine was 100 euros," Gilbert told Monaco Info. 'As public figures, we need to set an example. I've put the bike aside and now I'm training only on the turbo trainer."

"Until a few days ago, it was acceptable for professional riders [to train outside] in the Principality.

Gilbert also runs a bicycle store in Monaco, which is now closed, even though he had the right to remain open during the closure period. The bicycle store by Philippe Gilbert is on standby to make repairs for those who need them.

"Given that bicycles are a means of transportation, we have the right to stay open, but when we saw that everyone was blocked off, we decided to close the store itself," Gilbert explained. But when we saw what was happening with everyone being evacuated, we decided to close the store itself," Gilbert explained. That's how we've helped some people and we've done our part as best we can."