Philippe Gilbert took his first podium spot of the 2014 season when he sprinted to 3rd in today's Boucles du Sud-Ardeche. A late crash in the final corner meant for a confusing sprint and the former world champion was left wondering what might have been.

BMC Racing Team's Philippe Gilbert opened his European racing season Saturday with third place at Classic Sud Ardèche. Gilbert avoided a crash in one of the last turns of the 194.8-kilometer race to finish behind winner Florian Vachon (Bretagne-Séché Environnement) and runner-up Michal Golas (Omega Pharma-Quick Step).

"I knew it was important to make that turn in the first position because it was very narrow, with a bad road and a lot of risk," Gilbert said. "I made the turn in fifth but one of first guys crashed, so I had to brake. It was the same for everybody – we all had to brake. So the winner was the guy who shifted the fastest to have the right gear and start again, because after the corner it was less than 200 meters."

Earlier, the past world road champion had been part of a group of a dozen riders who got a gap inside of 30 km to go. But Gilbert said the situation was not to his liking.

"I looked behind and saw Quick Step chasing with a group of about 40 guys, so I decided to save some power because I knew they were going to come back," he said.

After a group of six escaped with about 20 km to go, the BMC Racing Team went to work to help with the chase. Ben Hermans combined with Tour du Haut Var Stage 2 winner Amaël Moinard and past Olympic road champion Samuel Sánchez to make the catch as the race reached the final kilometer.

"It was good job by Ben, Amaël and Samuel to work hard in the last 10 kilometers for Philippe," BMC Racing Team Sport Director Yvon Ledanois said. "They were working well together."

Gilbert's result was his best on the season, improving on an eighth-place result in the individual time trial at the Tour of Qatar.

"We came here without a designated leader," Gilbert added to Directvelo. "Each had his own chance. That was an opportunity for some guys who are domestiques throughout the year to have a chance. This was the case week for Amaël Moinard in the second stage of the Tour du Haut-Var, where he won. So we did not want to take responsibility in the race. Other teams are asked why we do not ride. So that's why ... Tomorrow, it will be the same in the Drôme Classic. 

"I did not know this event, it was the first time I came here. This is a great race. On the penultimate climb,I found myself in the group of twelve riders before it broke in two. I did not panic when I saw that behind the peloton was led by the Omega Pharma-Quick Step. I thought it would come back, and I focused on the sprint. As I said, it was a good race but I find it unfortunate to have placed a turn, as we had, 200 meters from the line. I think there were better things to do. And alas, there was a fall (Armindo Fonseca, Ed)."