ProTeam Philippe Gilbert kicks off 19th season as pro at GP La Marseillaise

On Sunday 31 January, Lotto Soudal will start the new cycling season with the 42^nd edition of the Grand Prix La Marseillaise. This French one-day race – with both start and finish near Marseille – is due to its hilly course most of all suited to the punchers of the peloton. Philippe Gilbert – who became father this week – is part of a strong seven-rider Lotto Soudal squad and is getting ready for his 19^th season as a pro. The 38-year-old Belgian had his share of bad luck last year and is cautious about his personal ambitions for the coming races.

Philippe Gilbert: “Of course, it would be nice to immediately obtain a decent result, but at the moment it is still too early to talk about this. I was able to resume training much later than we had planned and I had to work really hard to reach the level I am currently at. The main goal is to retrieve the good sensations and to further build the shape.”

“I had a really good time at Lotto Soudal training camp in Spain and I worked hard towards the coming season together with the ‘Classic riders’ bubble’. I am now preparing for a French triptych of races with the Grand Prix La Marseillaise, Etoile de Bessèges and Tour de la Provence. I am really happy to start the season in these three hard races with a nice course. Furthermore, the quality of the riders at the start is – partly due to the number of cancellations of other races – really high. I am really looking forward to starting my 19^th season as a pro rider and let’s hope the French races can go on as planned”, concludes Gilbert.

Line-up Lotto Soudal GP La Marseillaise: John Degenkolb, Philippe Gilbert, Andreas Kron, Stefano Oldani, Gerben Thijssen, Brent Van Moer and Tim Wellens.