Greg Van Avermaet: 'I won't be happy with second place anymore'
Only the top step of the podium will do for Greg Van Avermaet at this year's Tour of Flanders

Belgian Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) made such a jump in quality over the last year that he says he will no longer be happy finishing second in the Tour of Flanders on Sunday.
Van Avermaet took his biggest win yet when he won the 13th stage of the Tour de France last year ahead of Peter Sagan (Tinkoff). He returned in 2016 to win the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad cobbled classic, and a stage and the overall title in the Tirreno-Adriatico. The step up in quality has made the nearly-man a five-star favourite for both Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
"If I’m second or third I will be disappointed," Van Avermaet said. "I’m not happy any more with second or third places. If you give it all and then you’re second or third it is like it is but you’re still disappointed. My only goal is winning those classics and if I’m not there then it’s just not good enough."
>>> Nine riders to watch at the Tour of Flanders
The 30-year-old placed third in both the Tour of Flanders and Roubaix last year. This year, with Tom Boonen still fighting to reach top form after fracturing his skull in October, Van Avermaet is the Belgian favourite.
The only hitch could be that he sat out E3 Harelbeke due to stomach problems. He raced Ghent-Wevelgem two days later, however, and just missed the winning move on the descent of the Kemmelberg.
Watch: Tour of Flanders essential guide
"Every year, I feel like I can win and it and this year is my best year so far. I was a little bit sick last week and it didn’t go how I wanted it to go, but I feel that my strength is coming back. I’ve felt good this week and I’m really happy that I can be in the start in Bruges.
"OK, there is a lot of pressure but I am also going to enjoy it. It’s something special as a Belgian to start in these races as a leader of one of the biggest teams in the world,” added Van Avermaet.
>>> Tour of Flanders 2016: Latest news, TV guide and more
"For me, I think there was something in winning already. This is something that I take with me that I’ve won three races already ahead of this most important classic. I know I can beat strong guys and I know I finish races like [the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad].
"It gives me confidence that if we come in a sprint with four or five guys, which is a possibility in Flanders, that I can win."
Thank you for reading 10 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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
Is the bike industry divided over new tire and wheel rim-size regulations?
New recommendations have created a split within the world's tyre and rim organisation
By Hannah Bussey • Published
-
British bike company Planet X saved after sale to private equity firm
Yorkshire company's 33 employees transferred to new owners following seven week sale process
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Greg Van Avermaet, Olympic champion, Roubaix winner, to retire from cycling at the end of 2023
The Belgian says he has "no regrets" as he will head out of the peloton aged 38
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Jumbo-Visma perfect until it really mattered: Five things we learned from the men's cobbled Classic season
Tadej Pogačar should be lining up a tilt at Paris-Roubaix, Mathieu van der Poel has won almost everything he can, and Ineos Grenadiers underwhelmed
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'All the pressure was on him': Philippe Gilbert impressed by Kasper Asgreen’s form ahead of Paris-Roubaix
Danish rider finished seventh for Soudal Quick-Step after Patrick Lefevere called for riders to ‘save team’s honour’
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
UCI launches investigation into massive men's Tour of Flanders pileup
World governing body also investigating road-blocking team tactics used by DSM in the race as well as by Trek-Segafredo at Dwars door Vlaanderen
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
I went to the Tour of Flanders and was shocked by the exodus of people before the women's race went past
The rush to leave the Kwaremont after the men's race was depressing, and revealing. We all need to do more to support women's cycling
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar continues to transcend the limits of a Tour de France winner
With Tour of Flanders victory ticked off, it’s hard to bet against him adding the two remaining Monuments to his palmarès in the years to come
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Five things we learned from the Tour of Flanders 2023: Kasper Asgreen could save Quick-Step's spring
Jumbo-Visma are fallible after all, and SD Worx's dominance continues with Roubaix in sight
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Lotte Kopecky successfully defends Tour of Flanders title as SD Worx claim 1-2
With number one on her back, the Belgian won her third Classics race this spring with a powerful show of strength
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published