Gilbert won the 234-kilometer Spanish WorldTour race in 2011, the same year Van Avermaet finished third. BMC Racing Team Assistant Director Yvon Ledanois said the pair have a good team to support them.

"This is our first big objective after the Tour de France and with Phil and Greg we have two good opportunities to go for a good result," Ledanois said. "All the other guys around them are going well, too."

Gilbert said he is feeling good after racing the past three weeks at the Tour de France. "On Monday, I was like a zombie all day," he said, "but now I am feeling recovered. As a past winner of this race, it's important for me to give my best and hopefully we can get a win and a maximum number of UCI points for the team." Van Avermaet said he hopes to carry the same form that won him stages Monday and Wednesday at the Tour de Wallonie – as well as the overall – snapping a 20-month drought between victories. "I always try to be going well at San Sebastian because it's a good race for me," Van Avermaet said. "For sure, this week has boosted my confidence."

BMC Racing Team Clasica San Sebastian Roster (July 27):
Marcus Burghardt (GER), Yannick Eijssen (BEL), Philippe Gilbert (BEL), Sebastian Lander (DEN), Amaël Moinard (FRA), Steve Morabito (SUI), Greg Van Avermaet (BEL), Danilo Wyss (SUI).