Due to time differences in America, Philippe Gilbert has changed his race program to prepare for the World Championships, he didn’t start the Vuelta a Espana, like he has done in previous years, but instead rode GP Plouay and will head to the Canadian races, where he was a winner in Quebec in 2011.

"It's a special feeling to come back to Plouay because of all the memories it brings back," the Belgian said on the start line.

The 33 year old Belgian on the BMC team rode the junior Worlds in Plouay in 2000 and as he rose through the various age categories, he hasn’t missed a Worlds since, a record in pro cycling.

"It was my first international experience really," he told daily newspaper Ouest-France on the eve of the GP Plouay. "I remember the Belgian pro team with Johan Museeuw, Peter van Petegem, Andreï Tchmil who was doing the World's for the first time for Belgium. It was special to stay with these guys. And the crowd was huge, even for the junior race."

He has spoken about his decision to ride in Plouay and Canada over the Vuelta, saying it suits him better due to the time difference that will come into play in the US Worlds, his 17th appearance for Belgium.

"The location of the race is the reason for my program to change," said the 2012 world champion. "I wanted to be on site pretty early because I don't cope very well with the time difference. Racing in Plouay allows me to arrive in the same time zone [as Worlds] for the Canadian races in Québec and Montréal." He won the 2011 Grand Prix de Québec.

"Usually in the top 10 of the world championship, there are just as many riders who have ridden Plouay and the Vuelta," he noticed. "But nine times out of ten, the world champion has done the Vuelta. Fortunately, there can be exceptions, otherwise it would mean I have no chance this year. Many World's contenders have chosen the same program as me this time, also because this Vuelta is extremely difficult."