Philippe Gilbert's focus is now on the Ardennes classics
Ten days after his triumph in the Tour of Flanders Philippe Gilbert races tomorrow in the Brabantse Pijl. "Winning the Tour of Flanders has given me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season," said the Belgian champion.
"After the round I enjoyed a few days of rest that I spent with my family," Gilbert told today at the site of his Quick-Step team Floors. "I was obviously very happy with my first, but now belongs to the past. My focus at this time on these games and the Ardennes classics. I know my condition is fine and can not wait to show it . "
The 34-year-old Gilbert has won Brabantse Pijl twice in the past in 2011 and 2014. He picked up three victories in the Amstel Gold Race in 2010, 2011 and 2014, and was crowned in 2011, the fastest in both the Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Tomorrow is the 57th edition of the Brabantse Pijl. The peloton will leave the cobbles behind them, it is now up to the roulers to boss the small slopes of the Ardennes.
The Brabantse Pijl is also good preparation for the Amstel Gold Race, the Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Starting is still the Main Market of Leuven, the finish line remains the Brusselsesteenweg in Overijse. The race is 197 kilometers long and includes one big loop of 127 kilometers that unites Flemish and Walloon Brabant. Onto Brusselsesteenweg in Overijse for three local laps of 23.4 kilometers each.
Last year's winner was the Czech Petr Vakoc, ahead of Italian Enrico Gasparotto and Frenchman Tony Gallopin. Loic Vliegen finished his first Belgian race in the tenth place.
The last Belgian victory dates back to 2015 when Ben Hermans beat Australian Michael Matthews and Philippe Gilbert.
Regarding the favorites, is the former winner Petr Vakoc and Belgian champion Philippe Gilbert (winner in 2011 and 2014) from Quick-Step Floors.
Runner-up of the previous edition, Enrico Gasparotto, is also present. Ben Hermans performs form BMC Racing. Michael Matthews, second in 2014 and 2015, is the man at Team Sunweb.
Lotto-Soudal will count on Sean De Bie, who is focusing on the Ardennes Classics, starting with the Brabantse Pijl. "Tomorrow I want to go for the highest goal: to win," said De Bie. "That is certainly possible with my current form. Michael Matthews is a great competitor, he rode very strong in the Basque Country. He is the man to beat."
