Team News: Van Avermaet Targets Elusive Tour of Flanders Victory

Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) determined to stand on the top step of the podium for the 2018 Tour of Flanders on Sunday

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Team News: Van Avermaet Targets Elusive Tour of Flanders Victory

Having stood on the Tour of Flanders podium on three occasions in his career, Greg Van Avermaet is determined to stand on the top step this Sunday when he lines up for the 12th time in his career. As a born and bred Flandrien, Van Avermaet has made no secret of his desire to win the Tour of Flanders, a victory that would add a second Monument title to his palmares.

After testing his shape in the early classics, Van Avermaet is confident in his form ahead of ‘De Ronde’.

“I’m happy that the Tour of Flanders is finally here. I’m in the shape that I wanted to be in, but it’s going to be a difficult race. The Tour of Flanders is hard to win, as I know, but we are ready to try again this year. I think the team is good and I’m where I need to be,” Van Avermaet said,

“Out of all of the classics, the Tour of Flanders is the one that fits me best so I hope that everything can go right on Sunday. The classics are 90% about the legs and 10% luck. You can be as good as you want but everything has to go right on the day. I hope this year is my year.”
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Sports Director Fabio Baldato believes Van Avermaet and the team are ready. “The Tour of Flanders is one of the most important races of the year for Greg and the team and I am confident that we have done everything possible to put Greg in a good position for Sunday. Although we have one of the biggest favourites in Greg, I don’t think the pressure is on us to control the race. We have seen many strong riders and teams during the classics and it is important that we focus on doing our own race and supporting Greg as much as possible,” Baldato explained.

“I think we will see a very aggressive race on Sunday but we are ready for a big battle. The team is good and all seven riders have raced together on three occasions with E3 Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem and Dwars door Vlaanderen, which is important.”

Rider roster: Alberto Bettiol (ITA), Jempy Drucker (LUX), Stefan Küng (SUI), Jürgen Roelandts (BEL), Michael Schär (SUI), Greg Van Avermaet (BEL), Francisco Ventoso (ESP).

Sports Directors: Fabio Baldato (ITA), Klaas Lodewyck (BEL)

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