Gilbert aims for more one-day wins

By Gregor Brown

Belgian Philippe Gilbert aims for more one-day Classics in 2009. The winner of this October's Paris-Tours has his eyes on one of his country's biggest one-day race, Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

"I want to aim for the one-day races. Liège is possible, maybe in two or three year's time," he said to Cyclingnews. "You have to have experience and to be strong. With the years you get that – step by step."

Gilbert made a big step in 2008, but not only with the win in Paris-Tours. The 26-year-old won the Omloop Het Volk in dominating style and finished third in the Milano-Sanremo.

"This year I was really strong at the beginning of the season. I have had a full season with around 100 races, I think it is the most I have ever raced in one year. Sanremo and Het Volk were high points for me. Sanremo is a different race and anything is possible."

He will have the support of Belgian team Silence-Lotto for Sanremo and other one-day races as he left his team of the last past seven years, La Française des Jeux. He raced the Tour de France this year, but does not expect the same in 2009 riding for the team of Cadel Evans.

"With Lotto it will be different. Evans is completely for the overall and so there will likely not be a place for me. ... I would like to do the Vuelta next year; it starts in Holland and passes my village. We will ride the La Redoute, so for me it is very special."