Philippe Gilbert in good shape ahead of the Amstel Gold Race
Philippe Gilbert of Team BMC has been under a great deal of pressure since the start of the 2012 season. Health sickness, bad performances and crashes are the major highlights of his season so far.
Gilbert rode brilliantly in the 2011 season with Team Lotto and claimed the top spot in the UCI World Tour rankings.
He accepted an offer from one of the strongest sides, Team BMC, at the start of the 2012 season but has not been up to his standards.
The cyclist secured as many as 698 UCI points to lead the classifications, with Cadel Evans and Joaquim Rodriguez at the second and the third positions.
Alberto Contador was ranked third initially but his disqualification because of the 2010 Tour de France doping charges has ruled him out of the picture.
Philippe claimed overall victories at the Ster ZLM Toer, Clasica de San Sebastian, Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec, La Fleche Wallonne and the Amstel Road Race in the past season.
The 29-year-old also grabbed stages at the Eneco Tour, Ster ZLM Toer, Tour de France and finished first overall at the Montepaschi Strade Bianche, Brabantse Pijl and the GP de Wallonie.
The Belgian is now targeting the Amstel Gold Race to find his previous form. He succeeded during the 2011 version of the race and is positive to repeat his last year’s performance.
He told dhnet.be, “Last year, I was almost certain that I would win. This time, it’s different…”
“I’m not thinking about the treble. The important thing is my condition and to win races. I’ve never been interested in records. Above all, I want to return to a good level. I don’t want to say any more for fear that it won’t be exaggerated even more”.
“The important thing is to get back in the game. Above all I want to get a result on the bike before saying what it might be,” he concluded.
Philippe is determined to leave all his problems behind and ride the Amstel Gold Race with a fresh start.
The Dutch race is scheduled on Sunday, April 15, and is the 11th World Tour race of the season.
The winner of the race will earn 80 UCI points, whereas the second and the third position holders will receive 60 and 50 points, respectively.
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