Greg Van Avermaet hoping to keep the wins rolling in at Amstel Gold Race
The Belgian is looking for more of the same at this weekend's Ardennes Classic at the Amstel Gold Race
Current golden-boy of cycling, Greg Van Avermaet, is hoping his midas touch continues at this week's Amstel Gold Race following his incredible win at Paris-Roubaix last weekend.
The Belgian rider is hoping to add Amstel to his ever-growing palmarès, a race in which his best is fifth in 2015.
"A lot has happened since then, a lot of big wins, and with my win at Paris-Roubaix I'm definitely going in confident," Van Avermaet said.
"I've said it many times; winning breeds confidence and when a leader is confident, the team is also confident.
"I hope to stand on the podium [at Amstel Gold] for the first time in my career."
Unlike Paris-Roubaix, Amstel Gold throws up its own challenges with the amount of climbing riders must overcome.
This year's race won't be the same to the one that GVA faced in 2015 with the final climb of the Cauberg being cut as the final climb, now situated less than 19km out from the finish line it won't affect the outcome as much.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Despite the last climbs of Geulhemmerberg and Bemelerberg at 14.2km and 7.3km respectively, organisers have opted to go flat for the route finale, which may work in the BMC rider's favour should he still be in contention by this point.
BMC Sports Director, Valerio Piva, couldn't praise Van Avermaet high enough. "We know that we have a champion in Greg Van Avermaet" he said.
"At Paris-Roubaix we saw how well we could work as a team to protect Greg and position him well in the finale. I hope to see this team spirit again at Amstel Gold Race," he continued.
>>>Read our TV guide for the race this weekend
However, GVA will still have to fight off former colleague and compatriot in Philippe Gilbert who has won the race a whopping three times in his career.
Gilbert has also shown to be a good bit of form after taking the Tour of Flanders this year with a breathtaking solo effort 55km out.
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
-
Jonas Vingegaard is 'happy' while Tadej Pogačar calls Tour de France 2025 route 'brutal'
Visma-Lease a Bike sports director Grischa Niermann says course 'certainly appeals' to Dutch squad
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Do cycling jackets have to get a lot worse for the environment to get a bit better?
Will our waterproof cycling rain jackets still keep out the elements now that the old way of manufacturing is being banned
By Hannah Bussey Published
-
Intermarché-Circus-Wanty riders fined and sent to education course after racist gesture
Madis Mihkels and Gerben Thijssen sanctioned after incident at the Tour of Guangxi
By Adam Becket Published
-
Intermarché-Circus-Wanty riders apologise after being withdrawn from race over racist gesture
Madis Mihkels and Gerben Thijssen sent home from Tour of Guangxi after social media post of racist gesture
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
-
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
-
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
-
Biniam Girmay shares photo of eye-catching new helmet design
Eritrean rider shares image of new boxing cork design on cafe stop during training ride
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
How the team with the smallest budget in the WorldTour is overtaking the competition: The rise of Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert
The Belgian team has been punching above their weight all season
By Adam Becket Published
-
Biniam Girmay's stage 11 start in question after podium mishap
Eritrean stage-winner injured his eye with a cork during podium celebrations
By Adam Becket Last updated