New to the BMC Dream Team for 2012 is Philippe Gilbert and he talks to the team’s website about his season ahead
When asked how he is approaching the coming year after such a fantastic season in 2011, the Belgian champion says “I know what I did last year was incredible. But I had good support and confidence from my team – which I already have from the BMC Racing Team now. So I know I will have the support and the condition it takes to do a good performance. Physically, sometimes you can be three or five percent less of what you want to be and you don’t win. But I’m ready for this. If I don’t win, that’s sport.”
Philippe Gilbert with British rider Adam Blythe.
Revealing his wish list for 2012, Philippe says “It would be to not have any bad crashes or to get sick. If I can avoid those things, I will be on my way to good results. It’s difficult to hope to win this race or that race. I don’t need the extra pressure because I will start most of the classics as one of the favorites. Instead, I will just hope to do my best and be as prepared as possible.”
Philippe is in a team of so many champions and among them is former World Champion and now Tour de France winner, Cadel Evans. Asked what will it be like being in the Tour de France with a champion like Cadel, he replied “I already knew Cadel Evans from being teammates with him before. But I can feel he is different now. He’s more relaxed. He’s won the Tour already and it’s not the same Cadel I knew from 2009. But he’s still very professional, very focused and being next to him at the start of the Tour de France will be something very special.”
Finally, Philipp explains his approach to the year saying “I just try to restart after every season, whether it’s a good, bad or just a lesser season. I always want to do my best. I don’t think about winning. I always have the same motivation and goals whether I have won a race or not. I will start every race like I have never won it, whether I have won it before or not.”
