Philippe Gilbert hopeful to find his form at the Milan-San Remo 2012
Philippe Gilbert of Team RadioShack-Nissan is currently training for the Milan-San Remo. He has withdrawn from the Tirreno-Adriatico because of his struggling health conditions.
The cyclist wanted to continue the race but the team decided to give him some rest for the bigger goals of the season.
The 29-year-old is still searching his last year’s form that he had with his previous team. He joined Team Silence-Lotto in 2009 and spent a period of three years with the side.
He had a terrific 2011 season and grabbed the top overall position at the UCI Elite Men ranking with a total number of 698 points in his pocket.
His team-mate and the Tour de France 2011 winner Cadel Evans finished 124 behind at the second position.
Gilbert had a marvelous past season and claimed the overall victories at the Tour of Belgium, Ster ZLM Toer and finished second overall at the Eneco Tour.
He also succeeded at the Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Amstel Gold Race, La Fleche Wallonne, Clasica de San Sebastian, Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec and Montepaschi Strade Bianche.
There was a big question mark on Gilbert’s current form but the Team Manager John Lelangue has extended his full support towards the cyclist.
“Philippe has now gone calmly to Imola, where we are all going to get away for a couple of days before San Remo,” he noted.
John briefed, “I’m still not worried, everybody talks all the time about his fever, but it’s not the only important element in the case. That’s why we’re calming things down”.
“Dr. Testa wants a few days to observe how Philippe’s health develops overall. On Thursday, we’ll check on his progress with the medical staff and a new bulletin will be relayed,” he concluded.
Gilbert claimed the podium during the 2011 edition of the Milan-San Remo and is optimistic to open his 2012 winning account at the Italian race.
He will be accompanied by a strong Team BMC squad to grab the first victory for the American side.
Milan-San Remo is the fourth Grand Tour race of the 2012 season and is scheduled on Saturday March 17, 2012.
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