Classics rider Greg Van Avermaet claimed one of the first gold medals of the 2016 Games, taking the victory in the men's road race.
It might seem like sacrilege to many Belgians, but Olympic men's road race champion and born and bred Flandrien Greg Van Avermaet has said that his gold medal in Rio is worth far more than a win in the Tour of Flanders.
"Would I swap my Olympic win for a Tour of Flanders win? No way!" the BMC rider explained at the team's pre-season training camp.
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Gluten-free cycling nutrition: you don't need wheat, barley or rye to fuel your ridesMay is Celiac Awareness Month, and we're breaking down how to fuel effectively for peak cycling performance while avoiding gluten
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'I prepared for this the whole winter' - Mads Pedersen and Lidl-Trek ride plan to perfection to triumph at Giro d'ItaliaA lot of teamwork and a perfectly-judged plan delivered Pedersen to the pink jersey on stage one
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Professional riders need more protection from mindless 'fans' at major races to avoid another Mathieu van der Poel Paris-Roubaix bottle incidentCycling's authorities must do everything within their power to prevent spectators from assaulting riders
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British team blocked from competing in key Spring ClassicsHess Cycling not invited to Amstel Gold Race
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'Once we were four, I was really confident about winning' - Tenacious Lotte Kopecky hangs in at Tour of Flanders for victoryThe Belgian isn't interested in making history, but is just doing so accidentally
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'It's scary to see how much better he is' - Tadej Pogačar conquers all at the Tour of FlandersThe world champion won by a minute after a decisive attack on the Oude Kwaremont
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Tadej Pogačar must attack from range at the Tour of Flanders - taking Mathieu van der Poel to the line is not an optionSlovenian must look to replicate his Oude Kwaremont attack from 2023 if he wants to guarantee being first across the line in Oudenaarde
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Mathieu van der Poel surges to E3 Saxo Classic victory after dropping Mads Pedersen on the Oude KwaremontDutchman untouchable in West Flanders after distancing Pedersen and Filippo Ganna on decisive climb
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'Flanders is a race that demands a complete cyclist' - Neilson Powless aims for the Ronde in key monthThe American is set to ride Paris-Nice before taking on the Tour of Flanders and the Ardennes Classics
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Elisa Longo Borghini pips Kasia Niewiadoma on the line to win second Tour of FlandersIn-form Italian praises Lidl-Trek team after repeating feat she achieved in 2015
