Philippe Gilbert at ease ahead of Worlds race
Belgian rider Philippe Gilbert has admitted to feeling in good shape ahead of Sunday's showdown at the UCI Road World Championships in Australia.
The 28-year-old, who has planned his season around the event, was briefed by fellow rider Simon Gerrans about the route as early as January, when the pair met in Monaco to discuss the race.
"When I discovered it for real, it was exactly what I expected," Gilbert said of the challenging course. "We’ll ride the climbs very fast in the last two laps. A perfect course for me would have been the same with the finish at the top of the hill. Now there
are two options. If the race is hard and if many riders are at the limit, the right tactic will be to attack on the last climb. If not, I could also win the sprint."
Strong 2010 season
Gilbert, who rides for Omega Pharma-Lotto when he isn't representing his country, has been held as the favourite to win the race after a convincing 2010 season that included two stage victories at the recent Vuelta a Espana.
Gilbert finished 54th overall and 11th in the points classification in the race, which he treated as mere preparation for the Worlds race.
"I’ve based my season on this race. That involved some risk, but my timing is right, my preparation has been perfect, I have finished the Vuelta in very good shape and I have a great team around me."
While Gilbert is tipped to triumph on Sunday, there are several other contenders for the title, among them Spain's Oscar Freire and Italian rider Filippo Pozzato. Sprinters Thor Hushovd of Norway and Britain's Mark Cavendish could also challenge if they
overcome the climbs.
"The cleverest and freshest rider will win. It’s a race for someone who has a steady nerve. I like the tension.”
Tags: