If you're betting on the UCI Road World Championships road race in September, the rider already wearing the rainbow jersey, Belgian Philippe Gilbert (Deceunink-QuickStep), is an option that the bookies list high on their list of potential winners There is no doubt about it.

So far, however, Gilbert has flown a bit under the radar at this year's Vuelta a España.

Dečuninck-Quickstep came close to winning the team time trial in the opening round, only to lose because of their own mistakes.

Gilbert, on the other hand, is looking ahead.

"It's a shame we missed the TTT. A lot could have changed," the 37-year-old Gilbert told Cycling News at the start of Thursday's sixth stage, Mola del Rubiros. I missed the first sprint [on stage 3], but I'm happy I won the second stage. I know we're not the best team when it comes to climbing, but we're going to do our best."

As for his personal ambitions, Gilbert said he will try to win a stage, but there are not many stages that suit him.

"Everyone says I have seven chances, but that's easy to say from afar. They don't look at the stage profile, you know. For example, today it looks like it's going to be a small uphill finish, but it's actually an 8km uphill."

"For me, I like the finish best when it's steep but not too steep. Any more than that and you might find someone who is better than me."

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Gilbert's only option in the Vuelta a España is a short but punchy uphill finish near Toledo city center on stage 19, which includes a paved road.

Coincidentally, Gilbert won the same Toledo race in 2010.

Apart from the allure of Toledo, Gilbert is aiming to push through to the finish of this year's Vuelta.

"I haven't raced much, so I need the competition. Finishing the Vuelta would be great for the World Championships. After that, I'll have one or two big training sessions and that will be the best preparation I can do."

Gilbert last raced the Vuelta in 2016, and although he hasn't shone in the Vuelta for a while since then, he has five stages in the Vuelta since 2013. He also led the Vuelta for five days in 2010.

However, some of his Vuelta stage wins have come in 2012, when Gilbert won the world championships, as he won a two-way duel over Joaquin Rodriguez in his home park of Montjuïc, winning one at the end of the first week, and Alejandro Valverde on stage 19 ( Some spectacular second victory over Movistar.

As for the 2019 World Championships, Gilbert is aware that its hilly course could be to his advantage, but he thinks he will know enough about what this year's route will look like when the time comes. For now, he is well informed.

"I just know a little bit. I know it's pretty hard, it's up and down, and I know it fits my characteristics. But I don't know much more than that."

"It's always the same. Everyone goes to check out the course beforehand. But at the end of the day, that's what the World Championships are about. The weather could be a big factor this year."

As for the remaining months in Deceuninck-QuickStep colors, Gilbert doesn't plan to stop until October.

"I want to go all the way to Lombardy," says Gilbert, a two-time Giro di Lombardia winner. He's won the Giro di Lombardia twice. I wish it had been a route like the one I won."

But, as with the World Championships, Gilbert will take the Lombardia in order, while continuing to steadily build his form at the Vuelta a España and waiting for his chance in Toledo in the third week. If there is a chance before then, so much the better.