Last Wednesday’s victory in the Brabantse Pijl probably wasn’t the most impressive showing of Philippe Gilbert’s career, but certainly has given the 31-year old Belgian a welcomed confidence boost ahead of his season’s biggest objectives - Ardennes classics. While he can’t be ruled out as one of favorites to take the spoils in the Amstel Gold Race, the BMC captain acknowledges that we will meet much stiffer competition when he will line up at the start of the sole Dutch classic on Sunday.

“The Brabantse Pijl is a beautiful race. It felt great to win there,” Gilbert told Sporza.

“But it is not a WorldTour event. The level at the Amstel will be higher, with a lot more favorites present. Still, that victory was good for building confidence.”

Eager to bounce back from his last two ill-fated spring campaigns, Gilbert skipped all Flemish classics and focused exclusively on Ardennes hilly races to at least partially replicate his splendid disposition from 2011 season.

Reportedly determined to put everything in a perfect order before the Ardennes campaign eventually kicks-off, the 31-year old BMC captain did the Amstel route reconnaissance yesterday.

“It’s always important to do the recco. You get familiarized with main difficulties and get to know from which directions the wind will blow. Taken alone, it’s a good enough reason,” Gilbert explained.

The former world champion is well familiarized with the recently changed Amstel finish, but is also aware that almost flat ultimate 1800 meters added to its route have made the race’s finale more opened to less predictable scenarios. However, Gilbert claims that forecasted headwind will favour the bunch sprint from a reduced group.

“After the last climb, the wind will play an important role. With headwind it’s hard to stay away alone.”

“I’m feeling well and I can still make a difference,” Gilbert concluded.

As it happens very often, the 31-year old Belgian will enter his Ardennes campaign supported by the cobbled classics specialist, Greg Van Avermaet, riding his final event before enjoying a well-deserved break.

“The condition is still good, but now it’s all about the right mental approach. I had one week to recover after Paris-Roubaix. Well, the freshness will make a big difference,” Van Avermaet told Sporza.

“It’s always difficult when you know that other riders already enjoy their rest, while I still have to watch my diet and keep on training hard. But an extra week makes little difference eventually.”

“I think I’m still able to fight for a victory.”

Even though Van Avermaet agrees with Gilbert’s leadership role in the Amstel Gold Race, he still believes he has some cards to play in race’s finale.

“The race will decide by itself. We are both strong. We must ride together into the finale and than we’ll see who’s feeling better. I have no problems to ride the final kilometers for Gilbert, though.”