Speaking at the pre-race press conference, Philippe Gilbert of BMC says he is not the favourite for Amstel Gold Race, despite being the undisputed King of the Cauberg in the current peloton.

“You need to be realistic. I’m not the favourite for the race on Sunday,” Gilbert said at his pre-race press conference. “I’ll set out with the status of team leader but we’ll take stock during the race depending on the circumstances. I don’t have the usual point of reference for my form from Brabantse Pijl, and that’s always an interesting test. The first objective is to be there in the finale. Whether I can win, we’ll see how I am after the last ascent of the Gulpenberg.”

Part of Gilbert’s issue is that after winning the Vuelta a Murcia, he has struggled for form due to illness. This wasn’t helped by breaking his finger in an altercation with an angry driver last week.

“I’ve adapted my position on the bike a little bit to be more comfortable and I’ve had to change how I handle my bike in the last few days. I’m braking with three fingers now, but I have no choice,” Gilbert said. “I’m lucky that the state of the roads in Limburg is perfect, the tarmac is very smooth there. Though unfortunately, it won’t be the same at Flèche Wallonne or Liège-Bastogne-Liège…”

Gilbert has made four different winning moves on the Cauberg, but says his best bet for Sunday may just be to try and follow the best, rather than lead them out on the hill.

“It could be an advantage for me if there’s a headwind on the Cauberg. It’s curious to say that when I’ve won twice with a tailwind,” said Gilbert, who reconnoitred the parcours on Friday morning. “[The headwind] was violent on the Cauberg on Friday. In those conditions, it’s impossible to attack because you risk losing any chance two kilometres later.”