After missing the Tour de France Philippe Gilbert has returned to racing in rude health with a win in the GP Pino Cerami, a stage in the Tour de la Wallonne, second place in San Sebastian and an aggressive performance in last Sunday’s RideLondon Classic. It’s all part of his assault on the rainbow jersey and the UCI Road World Championships, which take place next month in Richmond.
Gilbert is aiming to win the title for the second time in his career after a triumphant performance in 2012. His preparation this year will see him compete in a number of one-day events and short stages races, but with the Vuetla a Espana not in his race programme. With the Worlds taking place on the other side of the Atlantic, riders including Gilbert, are having to recalibrate their preparation.
“One of the main reasons is that I want to stay there and be acclimatized for the time chance,” Gilbert told Cyclingnews, as he explained why he would head to the United States early. “I always have big problems with this and I want to give myself the best possible chance.”
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“I have the Giro in my legs already,” he added when discounting the option of the Vuelta. “The most important point is to have one Grand Tour in your legs as it keeps your level higher. I’m where I want to be right now. It’s perfect.”
One of Gilbert’s director sportives, Max Sciandri, knows all about the needed preparation that goes into a North American Worlds challenge. The British rider finished 31st the last time a Worlds was held in North America, back in Hamilton in 2003.
Cyclingnews picked Sciandri’s brains on the matter at the finish of RideLondon.
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