Greg Van Avermaet
Nationality: Belgian
Date of birth: 17/5/1985
From: Lokeren
Height: 1.81cm
Weight: 74kg
Team: Team CCC
Greg Van Avermaet burst onto the cycling scene in 2007, winning a stage of the Tour of Qatar for his new team Predictor-Lotto. The following season, Van Avermaet built on that success with a stage victory in the Vuelta a España and the points classification.
In the following seasons, Van Avermaet forged a name for himself as a rider who is always in the mix in the final selection of tough races, most notably in his home nation of Belgium. His prowess was on show at the 2017 Paris Roubaix where he took his first monument race after becoming the Olympic champion the year before.
His 2017 season has been his most successful so far with wins at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, E3 Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem, Paris Roubaix and the overall at the Tour de Luxembourg.
Van Avermaet took his second Grand Tour stage win in 2015 after a gap of eight years, claiming stage 13 of the Tour de France.
In May 2015, Van Avermaet was cleared of doping charges by the Belgian Cycling disciplinary committee after being accused of taking cortisone and Vaminolact in 2012. Van Avermaet proclaimed his innocence throughout the proceedings.
Although the victories have been few, the number of top 10 and podium finishes that Van Avermaet has achieved is astonishing. In 2015 alone, he finished on the podium in Paris-Roubaix (third), the Tour of Flanders (third), Strade Bianche (second), Eneco Tour (second) and Paris-Tour (third) - as well as winning stages of the Tour de France, Tirreno-Adriatico and a stage and the overall of the Tour of Belgium.
Van Avermaet evidently has the power and tactical brain to get himself into the final selection of the biggest races, but he has perhaps lacked the ruthless finish to secure the top spot at some of the major classics.
In 2018 he won the Tour of Yorkshire and finished 3rd at the World Road Race Championships at Innsbruck. As BMC gave up their sponsorship spot in 2019 following the death of team owner Andy Rihs, Poland shoe retailer CCC became the new title sponsor.
2019 was an average season, with several podium positions in the classics.
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‘I’m still scared of the distance’ - former Roubaix champion Greg van Avermaet on racing Unbound Gravel and life as a gravel pro
Former Paris-Roubaix champion Greg van Avermaet on conquering Unbound Gravel and life as a gravel pro
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
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Olympic champion and Roubaix winner Greg van Avermaet to race Unbound Gravel in June
Unbound Gravel contestants will be joined by a gravel newcomer of note this year as former Olympic champion and Roubaix winner Greg van Avermaet enters the fray
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
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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
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Eight riders to watch in the men's Strade Bianche 2023
Wout van Aert sits out due to illness, opening the door for a potentially new winner in the Piazza del Campo
By Tom Thewlis Published
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Adam Blythe unveils 24 carat gold Genesis bike
24 carat gold leaf bike design a collaboration between Genesis, Fat Creations and Blythe
By Tom Thewlis Published
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Tour de Yorkshire to be replaced with new look cycling event in 2024
Tour de Yorkshire not due to return to north of England, although initial plans announced for new cycling event in area
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
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'Things didn't go the way I wanted': Greg Van Avermaet decides to delay Covid-19 booster, blaming end of season results on vaccine
The World Health Organisation says 'more serious or long-lasting side effects to COVID-19 vaccines are possible but extremely rare'
By Ryan Dabbs Published
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Greg Van Avermaet looking for redemption at Paris-Roubaix after omission from Belgian Worlds squad
The Belgian has represented his national team at the World Championships every year since 2007
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
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'In my own country, I'm not part of the team': Philippe Gilbert and Greg Van Avermaet not selected for home World Championships
There were a few surprise names left off the list for the Flanders 2021 Worlds
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
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'I've had to prove I could do it my entire career, but with Olympic gold there is recognition'
Greg Van Avermaet hopes his Olympic Games gold medal will allow him to take a free role at the World Championships in October
By Stuart Clarke Published
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Greg Van Avermaet crowned UCI WorldTour champion as 2017 season concludes
The Belgian was already assured of victory even before the finale WorldTour event, the Tour of Guangxi
By Richard Windsor Published
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'I think this could be the year': Greg Van Avermaet on his Monument dreams
BMC's Greg Van Avermaet tells Cycling Weekly he believes he feels "this could be the year" that he wins a Monument.
By Nick Bull Published
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Greg Van Avermaet: ‘Lack of leader's jersey could be an advantage’
Belgian magnanimous in defeat as Magnus Cort Nielson beats him on Tour de Yorkshire's summit finish
By Vern Pitt Published
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Greg Van Avermaet: Everything needs to be perfect to beat Peter Sagan
Greg Van Avermaet reflects on a missed opportunity as Sagan powered to stage three victory at the 2017 Tour de France
By Gregor Brown Published
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Greg Van Avermaet focused on Ghent-Wevelgem after illness forces E3 withdrawal
Greg Van Avermaet suffered from digestive problems overnight and took the precaution of pulling out of Friday's E3 Harelbeke
By Richard Windsor Published
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Transfer rumours: Porte, Van Avermaet, Van Aert & others close to new 2019 teams
The latest updates on who could be heading where in 2019
By Gregor Brown Published
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Amateur cyclist almost interrupts the GP de Wallonie
Bunch sprint takes place despite seemingly unaware female riding on the finishing straight
By Cycling Weekly Published
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Greg Van Avermaet: 'If I never win Flanders it won't change my life'
Van Avermaet says he's still nervous heading into his 13th edition of the Tour of Flanders
By Gregor Brown Published
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Greg Van Avermaet solos into yellow at the Tour de France, as Alberto Contador loses time
The breakaway became a stayaway, and with the time gap Greg Van Avermaet took the yellow jersey on stage five of the 2016 Tour de France
By Jack Elton-Walters Published
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Greg Van Avermaet disappointed after being left isolated by BMC team-mates at Ghent-Wevelgem
Greg Van Avermaet's BMC Racing may have taken control on the plugstreets at Ghent-Wevelgem, but the defending champion lacked team support in the finale.
By Gregor Brown Published
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Greg van Avermaet takes overall lead at Tirreno with stage three win
BMC's Greg van Avermaet pips Peter Sagan and Zdenek Stybar on the line in a tight finish of stage three at Tirreno-Adriatico
By Stuart Clarke Published
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BMC call in the lawyers after 'scandalous' San Sebastián moto accident
Greg Van Avermaet was leading the Clásica de San Sebastián until a collision with a motorbike forced him to withdraw
By Simon Collis Published
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Team of the Week: Greg Van Avermaet, Tom Boonen, Lotta Lepistö and more
The best possible pro cycling team constructed using riders who have given the most impressive performances this past week
By Stephen Puddicombe Published
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Greg Van Avermaet plotting Liège-Bastogne-Liège tilt after route change
New finish in Liège may tempt Olympic champion
By Owen Rogers Published
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Greg Van Avermaet to make last-minute decision on whether he can race Tour of Flanders
The Belgian says he will only participate if he can compete, saying he has no interest in just riding from Antwerp to Oudenaarde
By Jonny Long Published
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Chris Froome questions 'unequal' distribution of WorldTour points
The Tour de France and Vuelta a España winner says Greg Van Avermaet deserved to win WorldTour ranking despite questioning the weighting of points to races.
By Gregor Brown Published
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Greg Van Avermaet to race Liège-Bastogne-Liège after disappointing Classics season
The Belgian has only managed to take one podium place in the Classics season this year
By Richard Windsor Published
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'I rode myself to death': Greg Van Avermaet refocusing after 'frustrating' Milan-San Remo
The Belgian was left frustrated after Milan-San Remo but hopes to channel that into success in the cobbled Classics
By Gregor Brown Published
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Greg Van Avermaet: Yorkshire is a missed opportunity, but I couldn't reach my level
The Belgian finished eighth at the World Championships road race in a gruelling day of torrid conditions
By Gregor Brown Published