Philippe Gilbert has announced he will miss the Vuelta a Espana. The BMC Racing Team rider explained is in perfect shape one month before the UCI Road World Championships, which take place in Richmond, United States.

The Belgian rider will go to America in order to recalibrate his preparation. "One of the main reasons is that I want to stay there and be acclimatized for the time chance. I always have big problems with this and I want to give myself the best possible chance. I have the Giro in my legs already. The most important point is to have one Grand Tour in your legs as it keeps your level higher. I’m where I want to be right now. It’s perfect."

Trainer Maximiian Sciandri added Philippe Gilbert needs to prepare the race in North America. "I actually said to him just now that he should just look at Worlds and then Lombardia because the condition is there. That’s what I would do. I think he’s got really good form right now, he just needs to tailor his form into the Worlds."