Philippe Gilbert to miss the Tour de France

BMC's Philippe Gilbert has announced that he will not ride in this year's Tour de France.

Instead the Belgian will focus on preparing for the Vuelta a Espana and the World Championships in September, according to reports in L'Equipe.

Gilbert, 31, won the World Championships in 2012, but has endured two difficult seasons since claiming the world title in Valkenburg.

Recent results have shown a dramatic return to form, however, as Gilbert won the Amstel Gold race in April.

In Gilbert's absence, BMC have chosen 25-year-old Tejay van Garderen to lead the team at the Tour de France, which begins in Leeds on July 5.