After a successful classics campaign and a short break, Philippe Gilbert is ready to return to action when he lines up in the short, flat Tour de Picardie on Friday. The Belgian leads a young BMC team that will give their youngsters Silvan Dillier, Sebastian Lander and Rick Zabel a chance to shine.

The BMC Racing Team heads to the Tour de Picardie later this week, adding a third race to its calendar of competition already underway at the Giro d'Italia and the Amgen Tour of California. 

BMC Racing Team Sport Director Yvon Ledanois said the three days of road racing in France provide an opportunity for some of the team's younger riders to gain experience.

"It is a good time for guys like Sebastian Lander, Silvan Dillier and Rick Zabel to keep learning and have their own opportunities," Ledanois said. "This is a perfect race for all our riders. We don't have pressure for the race or a big objective or a big leader. It is not a difficult race. It is more technical because it is windy and always the same for general classification because it is decided by sprints and bonifications."

Past world road champion Philippe Gilbert said he is looking forward to competing in the final edition of the race as organized by the ASO.

"This is a little bit the race of Jean-François Pescheux, who is a great person in the cycling world," Gilbert said. "So I am pleased to be part of this nice race."

Tour de Picardie (May 16-18):
Marcus Burghardt (GER), Stephen Cummings (GBR), Silvan Dillier (SUI), Philippe Gilbert (BEL), Sebastian Lander (DEN), Klaas Lodewyck (BEL), Rick Zabel (GER).