Philippe Gilbert is motivated to continue his winning streak in the 2012 season
Philippe Gilbert is currently training with his Team BMC in Denia, Spain. He had a terrific 2011 season and the cyclist is relaxed as the new season approaches.
The Belgian will start the 2012 season with the powerful BMC squad. He will be accompanied by Thor Hushovd, Cadel Evans, George Hincapie, Michael Schar, Martin Kohler, Mathias Frank and Marco Pinotti.
He briefed, “BMC invest a lot in cycling, but they don’t push for results, we’re all motivated, we don’t need pressure from the management and they don’t put us under any pressure”.
The cyclist is expecting a busy year ahead and is content to ride the Olympic Games and World Championships along with the classics season.
He has also shown interest to ride the Vuelta a Espana and the Tour de France.
The 29-year-old will lead the team in the classics while the former Tour de France winner, Cadel Evans will target the stage races.
Gilbert’s main role in the American team is to help the Australian during the French Grand Tour and he will also seek his chances during the race.
Philippe Gilbert and Cadel Evans were the top two cyclists during the previous season.
Gilbert achieved the first position with 698 points, while Evans claimed the second spot with 574 points during the 2011 UCI Elite Men Classifications.
On commenting about his plans for the new season, Gilbert said, “This year is a big season, I have the classics, the Tour, the Olympics, the Vuelta and the Worlds, so it will be a long season. Hopefully I’ll be up to the level for those challenges”.
Gilbert started riding professionally with Team FDJeux.com in 2003. He stayed with the French side for a period of six years before moving to Team Silence-Lotto in 2009.
The cyclist is keen to make his debut with the American team in 2012.
His major 2011 wins include the National Road Race and the National Time Trial Championship.
He also claimed the overall victories at the Tour of Belgium and the Ster ZLM Toer.
Gilbert is eyeing the Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders for the new season and he is not exerting too much pressure on himself for the year ahead.
The cyclist admits that the expectations are high. He will only try to give his best and will have a fresh start to his 2012 campaign.
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