Philippe Gilbert proved that he is ready for the Ardennes classics when he won today's warm-up race, Brabantse Pijl. Having narrowly held off Michael Matthews in the final sprint, the former world champion admitted that his rival had been the fastest but was pleased to boost his confidence ahead of his big objectives.

Philippe Gilbert of the BMC Racing Team won his first race of the season Wednesday, holding off Michael Matthews (ORICA-GreenEDGE) in a two-up sprint at Brabantse Pijl. Winner of this race in 2011 and runner-up last year, Gilbert earned the victory with a throw of his bike as Matthews attempted to come around him on the uphill dash to the finish.

"Matthews was the fastest, but I played it well because he had to close the gap to (Bjorn) Leukemans and (Wouter) Poels in the descent and that cost him power," Gilbert said. "I also saw he was closed in in the last corner, but I waited, because I knew from the last times (up the climb), I didn't want to make the same mistake. It was perfect."

After Gilbert and Matthews, Tony Gallopin (Lotto Belisol) was third.

With 21 kilometers left in the 203.1-km race, Gilbert attacked to bridge a 15-second gap to a small breakaway. His solo effort lasted nine kilometers, but less than two minutes after he joined the escapees, the peloton closed down the move.

"I had to choose between waiting or trying and I tried," Gilbert said. "Alone against seven riders is not easy with a headwind. And when I came back, the peloton came also back. Eventually it was a performance for nothing; but you never know.

“I know this race is not the same as the Ardennes classics, but a win is good for my confidence.I was second here last year, this year first. A win makes the difference and is unique.

“This is a good test ahead of the Ardennes classics, but this is also a great race in its own right. The best riders in the world, though, will be at Amstel, Flèche Wallonne, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. On Sunday in Amstel, it’s going to be a different race.

“We are going to have to wait until after Liège-Bastogne-Liège finishes to draw conclusions. I’m motivated by today’s result, but that doesn’t’ mean that we are going to work overtime in the Ardennes. We are only going to sacrifice one BMC rider at the front to control the race, not one more. I’m ready to lose upcoming races, but not ready to lead the races for my rivals.”

Sport Director Max Sciandri said he was impressed by the teamwork on display around Gilbert. Inside of 50 km to go, the BMC Racing Team took to the front to pursue what remained of a six-man breakaway.

"We showed we were the strongest team and, in particular, Philippe showed he was way stronger than a lot of other people," Sciandri said. "He won a great sprint. He moved the team around pretty well and also made a great move himself. It's quite dangerous to stay out there for seven or eight kilometers after 180. But he got the job done."