Despite finishing second on the penultimate stage of Paris-Nice and coming painfully close to sealing his first win as reigning world road race champion, Philippe Gilbert seeks to lower anticipations that he must be regarded as a top contender for Milan-San Remo. 

While admitting that he is in far better shape this year than 12 months ago, the Belgian world champion states that his rivals should worry about others before concerning themselves with the threat that he might pose. 

“I will automatically be amongst the favourites for Milan-San Remo,” he admitted to RTBF, a public broadcasting organization of the French Community of Belgium, “but I will not be THE favourite. I have a good level but I have not yet won, nor made an exploit [this season]. I think there are other riders to nominate before me.”

Gilbert also conceded that things have taken a turn for the better for him recently. “I started Paris-Nice sick so it was not ideal. Fortunately, I am healed. I can now breathe 100% and it makes a big difference. I have a good workload behind me with two nice stage races at the Tour Down Under and Oman. And now, Paris-Nice ended well. This is extremely important.”

On the BMC team Gilbert will be joined by former world champion Thor Hushovd. The Norwegian displayed some solid performances in Tirreno-Adriatico and finished in the chasing group on the excruciatingly tough penultimate stage.