Two time Il Lombardia winner and former World Champion, Philippe Gilbert, has given his approval to the novel course of the “race of the falling leaves” after he previewed it before taking the start on Sunday.

“This is where it all started for me," he said. "In 2009, I won my first monument in Lombardy. My triumph in 2010, I personally found it a lot more impressive.”

Even though the Belgian classics specialist took his victories in the season’s last monument on the previous course in 2009 and 2010, he spoke very positively about new parcours claiming, that a change will make for a more exciting spectacle in the finale.

Gilbert also claimed that, following his victories in last two seasons, Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) again will be the biggest favorite to take the spoils on Sunday. He also expected Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) to put up a good fight.

“For me, the new course is very special. It’s almost completely different from past years and it’s quite technical,” Gilbert told Belgian broadcaster Sporza. "(Joaquim) Rodriguez is undoubtedly the favourite. Behind him I put (Alberto) Contador and (Alejandro) Valverde, who are still fighting for the leading position in the world ranking.”

The 32-year old Belgian bounced back from his two disastrous seasons this year, and even though he didn’t come any close to the results he obtained in his impressive annus mirabilis back in 2011, he still took convincing victories in the Brabantse Pijl, Amstel Gold Race and Ster ZLM Toer general classification, taking two stages in a process.

Inspired by his strong performance in recently concluded World Championships, where he played important role in the road race finale while riding in a support of in-form Greg Van Avermaet, Gilbert insists he will take the start of Il Lombardia highly motivated.

“I'm still as motivated at the start of a race as ever. Sunday will be no different, especially since I left with Ponferrada with confidence,” said Gilbert. Clearly still frustrated by some of the tactics of the previous week, he was a little terser when asked his opinion on Belgium’s performance at the Worlds, where they got two riders in the top 10 but failed to take a medal.”

Asked more precisely about the finale of the World Championships road race, in which he was left with all responsibility for leading a chase, the 32-year old Belgian became reluctant to talk.

“I won’t speak about the World Championships. I have fulfilled my duty for the Belgian national team and for my sponsor,” he said bluntly.