How realistic is a return of Philippe Gilbert to Lotto Soudal? The best Walloon rider, 33, is out of contract at the end of next year after five years at BMC. 

Is it so possible that Lotto Soudal will bring him back?

"Nothing is impossible," team manager Marc Sergeant told Het Nieuwsblad. "Philippe has always said that he wants to finish his career with the team where he has achieved the most success."

In 2011, Gilbert had a real miracle year with the Belgian team as he won almost everything, including the Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

"In Richmond I talked to Philippe," Sergeant said. "'Of all the people with whom I have worked,* he said to me, 'you were those who understood me the best.'

One big problem: At BMC, Gilbert has an annual salary of approximately 3 million euros. That is likely to be a significant stumbling block, realizes Sergeant. 

"Actually, I'll have to convince him that he should no longer ride for the money."