Greg Van Avermaet: 'Valverde deserves this World Championship title - you should not bring up the past'

The reigning Olympic champion says that the new rainbow jersey wearer displays "pure talent"

Greg Van Avermaet at the UCI Road World Championships road race 2018

"Alejandro Valverde deserves this title," Olympic road race champion Greg Van Avermaet has said after the World Championships in Innsbruck, Austria, despite the Spaniard's doping ban, 10 years ago.

The Spaniard, 38, won the world rainbow jersey on Sunday. He emerged over the last climb in a four-man attack group, and won the sprint ahead of Frenchman Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale).

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1