Defending world road champion Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing Team) still awaits his first win of the 2013 season, but that hasn’t stopped the current owner of the rainbow jersey from saying that he doesn’t intend to ride for anyone else when his successor (if any) will be decided on September 29.

"I certainly do not want to work for someone else… It's such a nice course I want to try it for myself,” Gilbert was quoted as saying in an interview with Cycling.be.

At present Gilbert is seeking to improve his form in the Vuelta a España and he is scheduled to meet this week with Belgian national coach Carlos Bomans to discuss and plan the course of action prior to the race in Florence at the end of September.

Asked by Het Nieuwsblad if Gilbert's recent condition was sufficient to earn him the title and privileges of leader of the Belgian team, Bomans remained evasive.

"He is getting better," Bomans acknowledged. "In difficult circumstances. With that knee injury, racing the Vuelta is not easy. "

Gilbert was compelled to abandon the Eneco Tour late last month after a crash that left the 31-year-old with stitches in his left knee.

Gilbert's run in to his world championship victory in 2012 was also something of a surprise in terms of results, taking two stages in the Spanish Grand Tour before his victory on the Valkenburg circuit. Gilbert said there is no reason to think that this year should be any different.

"Three weeks in Spain will give me freshness that will come in handy at the world championships," he stated.

Belgium will be taking to the start with seven riders in the men's road race.