BMC Racing Team today announced that Philippe Gilbert will not be lining up at stage 3 of Paris-Nice due to a lingering illness.   
 
Gilbert has been suffering from an upper respiratory infection since the eve of Paris-Nice and although his condition appeared to be improving, the weather conditions seen in stages one and two have caused him to deteriorate, BMC Racing Team Doctor, Dr. Dario Spinelli said.
 
"Phil's condition is nothing to be overly concerned about, however the cold weather and snow that we saw in the opening prologue and first two stages of the race have done nothing but aggravate his condition," Dr. Spinelli said.
 
Although Gilbert is disappointed not to make it to Nice, he has bigger goals this season.
 
"I really love this race so it is disappointing to have to stop racing. But I have one of my biggest goals for the season, Milan-San Remo, around the corner and in order to perform well there I need to fully recover from this illness and be in the best shape possible," Gilbert explained.
 
BMC Racing Team's rider selection for Milan-San Remo will be made at the end of Paris-Nice and Tirreno Adriatico and those riders selected will need to be in the best of health and physical condition.