While many athletes have had their plans and ambitions hit by the postponement of Milan-San Remo, for Philippe Gilbert, the disappointment must have been especially hard.

The Belgian needs to win La Primavera to become only the fourth player in history to win all five monuments; at 37 years old, he has little time left, and the possibility of a cancellation would be detrimental to his "five monument challenge."

Gilbert, however, kept his cool when questioned about the matter by Belgian media on Friday.

"I completely understand the decision," the Lot Soudal rider said.

"Like everyone else, I have been following the developments in the cancellation of various sporting events, including bike races. That's the way it is. We always put the health of our citizens above all else."

On Friday, the March block of Italian races was canceled after it was announced that Tirreno-Adriatico and Milano-Sanremo would not take place as scheduled and a similar request was made to Strade Bianche.

Organizer RCS Sport announced that it would look for alternative dates on the calendar to hold the race later in the year. With a busy schedule in an Olympic year, there is talk of Milan-San Remo being held in October, perhaps following Il Lombardia as a late-season Italian block.

Gilbert, however, seemed uninterested in the possibility of a schedule change.

"It is difficult to react because we are talking about the final dates being later in the season. It's only a condition and talking about conditions is often a waste of time."

"It's out of my control and I'm chasing it like everyone else. I hope the season, and everyday life, resumes as normal as soon as possible."

Lotto Soudal CEO John Lelangue questioned whether Milano-Sanremo would be on the calendar, but insisted that if and when it does take place, his team is motivated.

"Caleb Yuan, John Degenkolb, Tim Wellens, and Gilbert would want to participate.

"We signed Gilbert not only for Milan - San Remo. He can be a force in many classics and monuments. There are many other great races, such as the Cobbled Classics and the Ardennes Classics."