Greg Van Avermaet
{{Short description|Belgian cyclist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox cyclist
| name = Greg Van Avermaet
| image = GVA Paris-Roubaix 2022.jpg
| image_size = 230px
| caption = Van Avermaet, 2022 Paris–Roubaix.
| fullname = Greg Van Avermaet
| nickname = {{Unbulleted list|Avi{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclist.co.uk/in-depth/2644/ride-like-the-pros-greg-van-avermaet|title=Ride like the pros: Greg van Avermaet|work=Cyclist|publisher=Dennis Publishing Limited|access-date=15 July 2017|date=11 April 2017}}|GVA|King of Flanders{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-avermaet-this-year-i-feel-like-its-my-turn/|title=Van Avermaet: This year I feel like it's my turn|date=29 March 2017|access-date=15 July 2017|website=Cyclingnews.com|quote=The Olympic road race champion has won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, E3 Harelbeke and Gent–Wevelgem so far this spring, earning him the nickname of the 'King of Flanders'.}}}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1985|5|17}}
| birth_place = Lokeren, Flanders, Belgium
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height = {{height|m=1.81}}
| weight = {{convert|74|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}
| currentteam = Team Last Dance
| discipline = Gravel
| role = Rider
| ridertype = Classics specialist
Puncheur
| majorwins = Grand Tours
::2 individual stages (2015, 2016)
::Points classification (2008)
::1 individual stage (2008)
:Tour de Wallonie (2011, 2013)
:Olympic Games Road Race (2016)
:E3 Harelbeke (2017)
:GP de Montréal (2016, 2019)
:{{Lang|nl|Omloop Het Nieuwsblad|italic=no}} (2016, 2017)
:Paris–Tours (2011)
Other
:UCI World Ranking (2017)
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalCountry| {{flagu|Belgium}} }}
{{MedalSport | Men's road bicycle racing}}
{{MedalCompetition|Olympic Games}}
{{MedalGold | 2016 Rio de Janeiro| Men's road race}}
| show-medals =
| amateuryears1 =
| amateurteam1 =
| amateuryears2 =
| amateurteam2 =
| proyears1 = 2006
| proteam1 = {{allow wrap|{{UCI team code|JVB|2006}}}}
| proyears2 = 2007–2010
| proteam2 = {{UCI team code|OLO|2007}}
| proyears3 = 2011–2020
| proteam3 = {{UCI team code|BMC|2011}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/valter-completes-ccc-teams-2020-roster/|title=Valter completes CCC Team's 2020 roster|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=25 November 2019|access-date=1 January 2020}}
| proyears4 = 2021–2023
| proteam4 = {{UCI team code|ALM|2021}}
}}
Greg Van Avermaet (born 17 May 1985) is a retired Belgian professional cyclist. Considered one of the most versatile riders of modern cycling,{{cite web|title=Matthews: I'd like to be as versatile as Van Avermaet|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/matthews-id-like-to-be-as-versatile-as-van-avermaet/|website=cyclingnews.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company|access-date=18 April 2017|date=15 April 2017}} Van Avermaet was a specialist of the classic cycle races, but has also won stages and the general classification in stage races, particularly when run on a hilly terrain, such as the 2016 Tirreno–Adriatico, and the 2018 Tour de Yorkshire. His strong sprint finish enabled him to win sprints of small lead groups, but he has also won races after solo breakaways.
He won the men's individual road race event at the 2016 Summer Olympics,{{cite web|title=Van Avermaet stuns the climbers to take gold in Rio|url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2016/08/olympics/van-avermaet-claims-olympic-gold_417364|website=VeloNews|access-date=6 August 2016|archive-date=7 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807174447/http://velonews.competitor.com/2016/08/olympics/van-avermaet-claims-olympic-gold_417364|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Van Avermaet wins gold in men's road race at Olympic Games|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/2016-olympic-games/olympic-mens-road-race/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=6 August 2016|publisher=Immediate Media Company|access-date=7 August 2016}} and has won other one-day races such as Paris–Roubaix, Gent–Wevelgem and E3 Harelbeke in 2017, the 2016 GP de Montréal and {{Lang|nl|Omloop Het Nieuwsblad|italic=no}} in 2016 and 2017. In the Grand Tours, Van Avermaet has taken two individual stage wins in the Tour de France, and worn the Yellow Jersey for eleven days during the 2016 and 2018 Tours and won the points classification in the Vuelta a España, with one stage win in the Vuelta a España. Van Avermaet was also the overall winner of the 2017 UCI World Tour.
For the 2021 season, Van Avermaet joined the {{UCI team code|ALM|2021|nolink=yes}} on a three-year contract.{{cite news|url=https://ag2rcitroenteam.com/en/greg-van-avermaet-et-michael-schar-sengagent-pour-trois-ans/|title=Greg Van Avermaet and Michaël Schär sign for three years|work={{UCI team code|ALM|2020}}|publisher=EUSRL France Cyclisme|date=10 August 2020|access-date=10 April 2022}} He retired from racing in 2023, and his last race was the Paris-Tours.
Career
=Early life and amateur career=
Greg Van Avermaet was born into a cycling family; both his father and grandfather were professional cyclists.{{cite web|url=https://alkhaleejtoday.co/sport/5206534/Greg-Van-Avermaet-says-goodbye-to-grandfather-Kamiel-Buysse-86-.html |title=Greg Van Avermaet says goodbye to grandfather Kamiel Buysse (86) |work=Alkhaleej Today |date=27 October 2020 |access-date=27 October 2020}} He was named after American cyclist Greg LeMond since his father "was a fan".{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclist.co.uk/in-depth/3445/gva-greg-van-avermaet-profile | title=GVA: Greg Van Avermaet profile | website=cyclist.co.nz | access-date=10 July 2018}} He started bike racing at the age of 19, having previously played football as a goalkeeper for SK Beveren.{{cite web |url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/02/news/van-avermaet-qa-in-search-of-brilliance-and-flanders_318115 |title=Van Avermaet Q&A: In search of brilliance, and Flanders |last1=Beaudin |first1=Matthew |date=27 February 2015 |website=VeloNews |access-date=23 February 2015 |archive-date=11 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311061527/http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/02/news/van-avermaet-qa-in-search-of-brilliance-and-flanders_318115 |url-status=dead }} He is a former brother-in-law of Glenn D'Hollander, also a former professional cyclist. In 2006, at 21, he became Belgian amateur champion on the {{UCI team code|JVB|2006}} team.
=2007–2010: Silence/Omega Pharma–Lotto=
File:Greg Van Avermaet WetterenDerny2007-02.JPG
;2007
In 2007 he signed his first professional contract for the {{UCI team code|OLO|2007}} UCI ProTeam and won four races in his maiden year.{{cite web|last1=Hazen|first1=Bart|title=Silence/Lotto 2008 - "Everything On the Tour de France"|url=http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=12185|website=Daily Peloton|access-date=15 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316005018/http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=12185|archive-date=16 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} In the Tour of Qatar, his first professional race for his new team, he won stage 5 in the sprint of a breakaway group, followed by a number of good finishes in smaller races. His results earned him a place in the line-up for the Tour of Flanders and Paris–Roubaix – his best result being 29th in Roubaix. A few months later he won a stage in the Tour de Wallonie, as well as the prestigious one-day race Rund um die Hainleite in Germany and the Memorial Rik Van Steenbergen in Belgium.{{cite web|last1=Westemeyer|first1=Susan|title=Van Avermaet first Belgian to win the Hainleite|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2007/aug07/hainleite07|website=cyclingnews.com|access-date=15 March 2016}}{{cite web|title=Van Avermaet etaleert talent in Memorial Rik Van Steenbergen|url=http://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf05092007_072|website=Het Nieuwsblad|access-date=15 March 2016|language=nl}} He entered his first world championships, in Stuttgart, finishing 63rd in the road race.
;2008
File:Greg Van Avermaet - Vuelta 2008.jpg]]
Van Avermaet's breakthrough year was 2008. He finished third in E3 Harelbeke after being in a breakaway, and eighth in his second Tour of Flanders.{{cite web|title=Kurt Asle Arvesen wint de E3-Prijs Vlaanderen|url=http://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf29032008_043|website=Het Nieuwsblad|access-date=15 March 2016}}{{cite web|last1=Brown|first1=Gregor|last2=Decaluwé|first2=Brecht|last3=Kröner|first3=Hedwig|title=Devolder shines in Belgian driekleur|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/rvv08/?id=results|website=cyclingnews.com|access-date=15 March 2016}} In May, he won the Ardennes stage in the Tour of Belgium, but lost the leader's jersey the next day to Stijn Devolder and finished second overall. Later, he was fourth in the Belgian National Road Race Championships.
In summer he won stages in the Tour de Wallonie and the Tour de l'Ain, as well as seventh place in the GP Ouest-France in Plouay, before making his debut in a grand tour, the Vuelta a España. He made a remarkable debut, with a victory on stage 9 of the race, when he outsprinted ten other breakaway companions in Sabiñánigo, ahead of Davide Rebellin.{{cite web|last1=Stokes|first1=Shane|last2=Haake|first2=Bjorn|title=Stage 9 – September 8: Viella – Sabiñánigo, 200.8km. Van Avermaet scoops biggest triumph, Martinez grabs lead|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008//vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta089|website=cyclingnews.com|access-date=27 February 2016|location=Sabiñánigo}} Following several other top-10 finishes, he also won the Vuelta's final points classification ahead of Alberto Contador and Alejandro Valverde.{{cite web|title=Breschel tops sprint ahead of historic Contador win|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vuelta-a-espana-2008/stage-21/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=21 September 2008|access-date=15 March 2016}} One week later, he finished 17th in the World Road Race Championships in Varese. At the end of 2008, he was awarded the Flandrien of the Year award by Belgian journalists.
;2009
2009 proved to be a difficult year, with one win, the Heistse Pijl, and several near-wins. He made his first appearance in the Tour de France, with fourth and seventh places in the latter stages as best results. He finished the Tour de France in 89th place overall.
;2010
In 2010 he could not claim a win and did not make the line-up for the Tour de France. He placed 49th in his second Vuelta a España, before competing in the World Championships in Australia. He finished fifth in the road race in Geelong, in a sprint won by Thor Hushovd.{{cite web|title=Thor Hushovd wins the rainbow jersey for Norway|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/thor-hushovd-wins-the-rainbow-jersey-for-norway-57070|website=cyclingweekly.co.uk|date=3 October 2010|access-date=15 March 2016}} At the end of the season he stated he would leave his {{UCI team code|LTS|2010}} team.
=2011: Transfer to BMC and Paris–Tours victory=
File:VAN AVERMAET Greg.jpg victory at the 2011 Paris–Tours, after a two-man sprint with Italian Marco Marcato.]]
In 2011 he joined {{UCI team code|BMC|2011}}. After starting his season in the Tour of Qatar, he ran a remarkable campaign in the spring classics, in which he was one of the most attacking riders. Ninth place in Milan–San Remo and seventh in Liège–Bastogne–Liège were his best results. After the spring classics, he finished second in the Tour of Belgium.
In summer, he claimed his first victories for his new team. He won a stage and the points classification in the Tour of Austria,{{cite web|last1=Westemeyer|first1=Susan|title=Van Avermaet wins stage 6|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/int-osterreich-rundfahrt-2-hc/stage-6/results/|website=cyclingnewscom|date=8 July 2011|access-date=14 March 2016}} and he won the overall classification and final stage in the Tour de Wallonie.{{cite web|last1=Farrand|first1=Stephen|title=Van Avermaet wins overall|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-wallonie-2-hc-2/stage-5/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=27 July 2011|access-date=14 March 2016}} He entered the Eneco Tour and Vuelta a España in which he gained several top-20 stage results. In October he claimed his first classic victory, after beating Marco Marcato in a two-man sprint in Paris–Tours.{{cite web|title=Van Avermaet pakt 1e klassieke zege in Parijs-Tours|url=http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/wielrennen/1.1128987|website=Sporza|access-date=27 February 2016|language=nl|archive-date=4 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204032311/http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/wielrennen/1.1128987|url-status=dead}} He finished the season with a second place in the Giro del Piemonte and twelfth in the Tour of Lombardy.
=2012–2014: ''Mister Almost''=
;2012
File:Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec 2012, Greg VanAvermaet (7954883376).jpg]]
In the spring of 2012 Van Avermaet became a front-runner in the classics with several strong performances. Early in the season he was fifth in both Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Strade Bianche,{{cite web|title=Fabian Cancellara wins Strade Bianche|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/strade-bianche-2012/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=3 March 2012|access-date=9 March 2016}}{{cite web|title=Vanmarcke wins Omloop Het Nieuwsblad|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/omloop-het-nieuwsblad-elite-2012/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=25 February 2012|access-date=9 March 2016}} before focusing on the cobbled classics. He finished fourth in the Tour of Flanders, where he won the sprint at the finish in Oudenaarde 40 seconds behind the leading breakaway.{{cite web|title=Ronde van Vlaanderen|url=http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/tag/wielrennen/ronde-van-vlaanderen?season=WREL2012&rankingType=Result|website=Sportwereld|publisher=Mediahuis|access-date=9 March 2016|language=nl}}
In summer, he skipped the Tour de France again and came close to winning his first World Tour race in the Grand Prix de Québec. He attacked on the final Côte de la Montagne, but was joined by Simon Gerrans, who beat him in a two-man sprint.{{cite news|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/gerrans-wins-gp-de-quebec-235012864.html|title=Gerrans wins GP de Quebec|work=Yahoo! Eurosport|publisher=TF1 Group|date=7 September 2012|access-date=11 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105181812/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/gerrans-wins-gp-de-quebec-235012864.html|archive-date=5 January 2013|df=dmy-all}} He was second again five days later in the Grand Prix de Wallonie, before competing in the World Road Race Championships in Valkenburg, in the Netherlands. He placed 25th in the race, after playing a helping role for his teammate Philippe Gilbert, who won the world title.{{cite web|last1=Benson|first1=Daniel|title=Gilbert wins world championship in Valkenburg|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/uci-road-world-championships-2012/elite-men-road-race/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=23 September 2012|access-date=9 March 2016}} He ended his season with eighth place in the Giro del Piemonte and sixth in Paris–Tours.{{cite web|last1=Quénet|first1=Jean-François|title=Marcato wins Paris–Tours|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/paris-tours-2012/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=7 October 2012|access-date=9 March 2016}}
;2013
In 2013, Van Avermaet garnered several top-10 finishes in the spring classics. He finished fifth in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, sixth in Strade Bianche, third in Gent–Wevelgem, seventh in the Tour of Flanders, fourth in Paris–Roubaix and sixth in Brabantse Pijl, but again failed to claim a single win.
Later in the year, he had a strong summer campaign, starting with two stage wins and the overall classification in the Tour de Wallonie,{{cite web|title=Van Avermaet wins stage 5 and overall at Tour de Wallonie|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-wallonie-2013/stage-5/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=24 July 2013|access-date=9 March 2016}}{{cite web|title=Van Avermaet takes one for BMC in Wallonie|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-wallonie-2013/stage-3/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=22 July 2013|access-date=9 March 2016}} as well the first stage of the Tour of Utah and several top-5 stage finishes in the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.{{cite web|title=Van Avermaet wins Tour of Utah opening stage|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-utah-2013/stage-1/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=6 August 2013|access-date=9 March 2016}} In the GP Ouest-France he was caught by the peloton at {{convert|300|m|abbr=off}} from the finish after a late attack. In the Laurentian Classics in Canada, he finished third in the Grand Prix de Québec and fourth in the Grand Prix de Montréal.{{cite web|last1=Hymas|first1=Peter|title=Gesink wins GP de Quebec|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/grand-prix-cycliste-de-quebec-2013/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=13 September 2013|access-date=9 March 2016}}{{cite web|last1=Hymas|first1=Peter|title=Peter Sagan wins Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/grand-prix-cycliste-de-montral-2013/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=15 September 2013|access-date=9 March 2016}} Back in Europe, he finished 23rd in the World Road Race Championships in Florence and 19th in the Giro di Lombardia.{{cite web|title=0th World Championships Road Race (CM)|url=http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/World_Championships_Road_Race_2013|website=Pro Cycling Stats|access-date=9 March 2016}} At the end of 2013, with four victories, he won his second Flandrien of the Year award.{{cite news|url=http://cyclingquotes.com/news/van_avermaet_and_froome_win_quotflandrien_of_the_yearquot_awards/|title=Van Avermaet and Froome win 'Flandrian of the Year' award|work=cyclingquotes|publisher= CyclingQuotes.com 2013|date=18 October 2013|access-date=23 July 2014|first=Emil|last=Axelgaard}}
;2014
File:Tour de France 2014, van avermaet (14683199047).jpg]]
In 2014, Van Avermaet ran another strong spring campaign but again failed to win a classic race. He finished second in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the Tour of Flanders, losing both races in the sprint, to Ian Stannard and Fabian Cancellara respectively.{{cite web|last1=Decaluwé|first1=Brecht|title=Stannard wins Omloop Het Nieuwsblad|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/omloop-het-nieuwsblad-elite-2014/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=March 2014|access-date=9 March 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Windsor|first1=Richard|title=Fabian Cancellara wins his third Tour of Flanders|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/wins-tour-flanders-2014-119856|access-date=9 March 2016|date=6 April 2014}} In the summer, he entered the Tour de France, in which he helped his leader Tejay van Garderen to fifth place in the general classification and finished 38th himself.{{cite news|url=http://www.letour.com/le-tour/2014/fr/classements.html|title=Classements à l'issue de l'étape 21|work=Le Tour de France|publisher=Amaury Sport Organization|date=30 July 2014|access-date=18 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904154405/http://www.letour.com/le-tour/2014/fr/classements.html|archive-date=4 September 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
Later in the campaign, Van Avermaet took eighth place in the Clásica San Sebastián and fifth overall in the Eneco Tour, as well as one stage win. He finished fifth in the GP de Quebec – his third consecutive top-5 finish in Quebec – and seventh in the GP de Montréal.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/grand-prix-cycliste-de-quebec-2014/results|title=Gerrans wins Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=12 September 2014|access-date=12 September 2014}} In September, Van Avermaet won the 1.HC-ranked Grand Prix de Wallonie; he was part of a four-strong breakaway and, with the peloton on their heels, Van Avermaet attacked in the final uphill bends to claim his second win of the season.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/van_avermaet_i_was_confident_in_my_sprint/|title=Van Avermaet: I was confident in my sprint|work=Cycling Quotes|publisher=CyclingQuotes.com 2013|date=17 September 2014|access-date=17 September 2014|first=Emil|last=Axelgaard}} Three days later, he won the GP Impanis-Van Petegem, earning him the leadership in the Belgian line-up for the World championships in Ponferrada, Spain.{{cite web|title=Van Avermaet wins Primus Classic Impanis – Van Petegem|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/primus-classic-impanis-van-petegem-2014/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=21 September 2014|access-date=9 March 2016}} He was in the winning breakaway of the road race together with his {{UCI team code|BMC|2014|nolink=yes}} teammate and fellow Belgian Philippe Gilbert, but was unable to answer an ultimate attack from Michał Kwiatkowski and finished fifth.{{cite web|title=Kwiatkowski wins men's road world title|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/michal-kwiatkowski-wins-elite-mens-road-world-title-138162|website=cyclingweekly.co.uk|date=28 September 2014|access-date=9 March 2016}} He ended the season with 39th place in Paris–Tours.{{cite web|last1=Benson|first1=Daniel|title=Wallays wins two-man sprint to claim Paris–Tours|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/paris-tours-elite-2014/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=12 October 2014|access-date=9 March 2016}}
At the end of 2014 he earned his third Flandrien of the year award as best Belgian rider of the year.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/news-shorts-hushovd-says-armstrong-admitted-doping-in-2011|title=News shorts: Hushovd says Armstrong admitted doping in 2011|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=15 October 2014|access-date=15 October 2014}}
=2015: Classics specialist and Tour de France stage win=
File:Roubaix - Paris-Roubaix, 12 avril 2015, arrivée (B41).JPG and Paris–Roubaix. (pictured on the podium of Paris–Roubaix with John Degenkolb and Zdeněk Štybar)]]
In 2015, Van Avermaet started his season traditionally in the Middle-Eastern Tour of Qatar and Tour of Oman races, where he placed third on two stages. After another top-ten finish in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, he finished second in Strade Bianche behind Zdeněk Štybar.{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/strade-bianche-2015-1-1/results |title=Stybar wins 2015 Strade Bianche|date=7 March 2015 |website=cyclingnews.com|access-date=8 March 2015}} He claimed his first victory of the season on Stage 3 of Tirreno–Adriatico in an uphill-sprint finish, besting Peter Sagan and Štybar.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tirreno-adriatico-2015/stage-3/results|title=Tirreno–Adriatico: Van Avermaet wins stage 3|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=13 March 2015|access-date=13 March 2015}} Coming into the cobbled classics, he crashed hard in E3 Harelbeke, nearly jeopardizing the April classics.{{cite web|title=Thomas solos away from Stybar to win E3 Harelbeke|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/e3-harelbeke-2015/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=27 March 2015|access-date=9 March 2016}} In April, Van Avermaet finished third in the Tour of Flanders after a strong performance. He dropped Sagan in the final kilometers of the race while closing in on Alexander Kristoff, the eventual winner, and Niki Terpstra.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sagan-falls-short-again-in-tour-of-flanders-finale|title=Sagan falls short again in Tour of Flanders finale|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=5 April 2015|access-date=5 April 2015|first=Barry|last=Ryan}} A week later, he earned another prestigious podium finish in Paris–Roubaix, finishing third in a seven-man sprint behind John Degenkolb and Štybar.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/paris-roubaix-2015-wt/results|title=Degenkolb wins Paris–Roubaix|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=12 April 2015|access-date=13 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415193047/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/paris-roubaix-2015-wt/results|archive-date=15 April 2015|df=dmy-all}} He ended his classics campaign with fifth place in the Amstel Gold Race,{{cite news|url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/04/news/road/kwiatkowski-sprints-to-first-victory-in-rainbow-jersey-in-amstel-gold-race_367157|title=Kwiatkowski sprints to first victory in rainbow jersey in Amstel Gold Race|work=VeloNews|date=19 April 2015|access-date=19 April 2015|archive-date=20 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420051845/http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/04/news/road/kwiatkowski-sprints-to-first-victory-in-rainbow-jersey-in-amstel-gold-race_367157|url-status=dead}} despite being under investigation for doping, at that time.
File:2015 Tour de France team presentation (19361225025).jpg for the 2015 Tour de France, in which he won stage 13 – an uphill sprint in Rodez.]]
In May, in his build-up to the Tour de France, Van Avermaet won both the final stage and the overall classification in the Tour of Belgium.{{cite news|url=http://www.sport.co.uk/cycling/greg-van-avermaet-wins-baloise-belgium-tour/6288514/|title=Greg Van Avermaet Wins Baloise Belgium Tour9|work=Sport.co.uk|publisher=2012–2015 Sport.co.uk|date=1 June 2015|access-date=2 June 2015|first=Kev|last=Monks}} He took part in the Tour de Suisse, finishing sixth on the Prologue and third in stage 4.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/michael-matthews-wins-stage-four-of-the-tour-de-suisse-as-crash-delays-thomas-177197|title=Michael Matthews wins stage four of the Tour de Suisse as crash delays Thomas|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=IPC Media Sports & Leisure network|date=16 June 2015|access-date=16 June 2015|first=Stuart|last=Clarke}} He entered the Tour de France, in which he helped the {{UCI team code|BMC|2015|nolink=yes}} win the team time trial on Stage 9. On 17 July 2015, he won stage 13, his first individual Tour de France stage win. He outsprinted the green jersey wearer Peter Sagan, and fellow Belgian Jan Bakelants on an uphill finish in Rodez.{{cite web|title=Tour de France stage 13 quotes: Van Avermaet on top, Sagan second once more|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-france-stage-13-quotes-van-avermaet-on-top-sagan-second-once-more/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=17 July 2015|access-date=27 February 2016}} He withdrew from the race three days later to witness the birth of his first daughter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jul/20/team-sky-pete-kennaugh-tour-de-france-withdraws-illness|title = Team Sky's Pete Kennaugh pulls out of Tour de France|date = 20 July 2015}}
Less than two weeks later, on 1 August 2015, Van Avermaet looked on his way to victory in the Clásica de San Sebastián, when he was hit from behind by one of the motorbikes providing television coverage just before the top of the final climb. Suffering a broken bike frame, he was unable to finish and saw Adam Yates win the race.{{cite news|last1=Frattini|first1=Kirsten|title=TV motorcycle collides with Van Avermaet at Clásica San Sebastián|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tv-motorcycle-collides-with-van-avermaet-at-clsica-san-sebastin/|access-date=4 August 2015|work=Cyclingnews.com|date=1 August 2015}} In the aftermath of the incident, his {{UCI team code|BMC|2015|nolink=yes}} claimed the crash had cost him victory and threatened legal action over "millions of dollars in lost publicity".{{cite web|title=BMC exploring legal action after Van Avermaet crash|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bmc-exploring-legal-action-after-van-avermaet-crash|website=cyclingnews.com|date=2 August 2015|access-date=9 March 2016}} A few days later he entered the Eneco Tour and finished second overall, trailing winner Tim Wellens by a minute.{{cite web|title=Wellens secures overall title at Eneco Tour|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/eneco-tour-2015/stage-7/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=16 August 2015|access-date=9 March 2016}}
In his preparation for the world championships he placed fifth in the Vattenfall Cyclassics in Hamburg and entered the Laurentian Classics in Canada.{{cite web|last1=Westemeyer|first1=Susan|title=Greipel wins bunch sprint in Hamburg|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/vattenfall-cyclassics-2015/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=23 August 2015|access-date=10 March 2016}} Considered a favourite in the world road race title in Richmond, he attacked on Libby Hill, the final climb of the race, but was overtaken by Peter Sagan and narrowly failed to stay in his wheel. His attempts to catch Sagan failed as his chase companion Edvald Boasson Hagen was not allowed to work in the pursuit and both were caught by the returning peloton in the final kilometer.{{cite web|title=Sagan holds his fire, takes one shot and hits the bull's-eye|url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/09/news/sagan-smashes-his-way-to-victory-at-worlds_386460|website=velonews.competitor.com|access-date=9 March 2016|archive-date=28 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928210825/http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/09/news/sagan-smashes-his-way-to-victory-at-worlds_386460|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=Peter Sagan wins gold at Road Cycling World Championships|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/34375321|access-date=9 March 2016}} Van Avermaet finished 23rd.{{cite web|title=UCI Road World Championships Richmond 2015|url=http://www.uci.ch/mm/Document/News/NewsGeneral/17/13/80/Qualificationsystemandquotas-Richmond-ENG_English.pdf|website=uci.ch|access-date=9 March 2016}} His last race of the season was Paris–Tours, where he was in the winning three-man breakaway and the favourite to win the sprint, when he punctured just one kilometer from the line and finished third.{{cite web|title=Front flat takes Van Avermaet out of Paris–Tours sprint|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/front-flat-takes-van-avermaet-out-of-paris-tours-sprint/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=11 October 2015}} At the end of the year, Van Avermaet was awarded both the Crystal Bicycle and Flandrien of the Year awards as best Belgian cyclist of the year,{{cite web|title=Van Avermaet wint Kristallen Fiets voor tweede keer op rij|url=http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/wielrennen/1.2512659|website=sporza|access-date=9 March 2016|language=nl|archive-date=4 April 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160404194708/http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/wielrennen/1.2512659|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Cyclisme: Greg Van Avermaet est sacré "Flandrien de l'année"|url=http://www.lesoir.be/1018181/article/actualite/fil-info/fil-info-sport-cyclisme/2015-10-15/cyclisme-greg-van-avermaet-est-sacre-flandrien-l-annee|website=lesoir.be|access-date=9 March 2016|language=fr}} and was second in the Belgian Sportsman of the year poll behind footballer Kevin De Bruyne.{{cite web|title=Persoon dan toch Sportvrouw van het Jaar, De Bruyne Sportman|url=http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/ander_nieuws/1.2527408|website=sporza.be|access-date=9 March 2016|language=nl|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304154841/http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/ander_nieuws/1.2527408|url-status=dead}}
=2016: Olympic champion=
File:Gent - Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, 27 februari 2016 (E12).JPG with his daughter Fleur, Peter Sagan (left) and Tiesj Benoot (right).]]
In 2016 he opened the season with numerous top-5 placings in the Tour of Qatar and Tour of Oman.{{cite web|title=Van Avermaet botst op superbenen van Boasson Hagen|url=http://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20160217_02133466|website=Het Nieuwsblad|publisher=Corelio|access-date=8 March 2016|language=nl}} In late February, he won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, after beating Peter Sagan in a five-man sprint in Ghent.{{cite web|last1=Benson|first1=Daniel|last2=Decaluwé|first2=Brecht|title=Van Avermaet wins Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Elite|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/omloop-het-nieuwsblad-elite-2016/results/|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=27 February 2016|access-date=27 February 2016}}{{cite web|title=Van Avermaet schiet meteen raak in de Omloop|url=http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/matchcenter/mc_wielrennen/Comp_voorjaar/1.2581341|website=Sporza.be|access-date=27 February 2016|language=nl|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301092816/http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/matchcenter/mc_wielrennen/Comp_voorjaar/1.2581341|archive-date=1 March 2016|df=dmy-all}} He finished sixth in Strade Bianche,{{cite web|title=10th Strade Bianche (1.HC)|url=http://www.procyclingstats.com/race.php?id=164282|website=Pro Cycling Stats|access-date=8 March 2016}} before entering Tirreno–Adriatico, where he was on the winning team of the opening team time trial.{{cite web|last1=Ryan|first1=Barry|title=World champions BMC Racing win team time trial at Tirreno–Adriatico|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tirreno-adriatico-2016/stage-1/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=9 March 2016|access-date=13 March 2016}} After the cancellation of Tirreno's queen stage, he won the sixth stage in a sprint with Sagan,{{cite web|title=Van Avermaet denies Sagan on Tirreno–Adriatico stage 6|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/tirreno-adriatico-2016/stage-6/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|access-date=14 March 2016}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and successfully defended his lead in the final time trial, by one second over Sagan – his first overall win in a World Tour stage race.{{cite web|last1=Wynn|first1=Nigel|title=Greg Van Avermaet wins Tirreno–Adriatico overall|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/greg-van-avermaet-wins-tirreno-adriatico-overall-216747|website=cycling weekly|date=15 March 2016|access-date=15 March 2016}} The victory pushed Van Avermaet to the top of the UCI World Ranking for one week.{{cite web|title=Van Avermaet surges to World Rankings lead|date=22 March 2016|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-avermaet-surges-to-world-rankings-lead/|work=Cycling News|access-date=2 August 2016}}{{cite web|title=Sagan tops UCI WorldTour and World Rankings|date=4 April 2016|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sagan-tops-uci-worldtour-and-world-rankings/|work=Cycling News|access-date=2 August 2016}} Following Tirreno–Adriatico, he finished fifth in Milan–San Remo but crashed and broke his collarbone in the Tour of Flanders.{{cite web|title=Milano-Sanremo 2016|url=http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Milano_Sanremo_2016|website=ProCyclingStats|access-date=19 March 2016}}{{cite web|title=Greg Van Avermaet undergoes surgery after Tour of Flanders crash|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/greg-van-avermaet-undergoes-surgery-after-tour-of-flanders-crash/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=4 April 2016|access-date=8 July 2016}}
After his return from injury in May, he competed in the Tour of California and the Critérium du Dauphiné, before placing third in the Belgian National Road Race Championships behind Philippe Gilbert and Tim Wellens. In July he entered the Tour de France: he won stage 5 to Le Lioran, his second Tour de France stage win, after a long breakaway and having completed the final {{convert|17|km|abbr=off}} solo.{{cite web|title=Tour de France: Perfect day for Van Avermaet|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-france-perfect-day-for-van-avermaet/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=6 July 2016|access-date=8 July 2016}} He also moved into the yellow jersey, which he held for three days,{{cite web|title=Tour de France: Van Avermaet strengthens hold on yellow jersey|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-france-van-avermaet-strengthens-hold-on-yellow-jersey/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=9 July 2016|access-date=6 August 2016}} and finished 44th overall.{{cite web|title=Overall individual time classification|url=http://www.letour.com/le-tour/2016/us/classifications.html|website=letour.com|publisher=ASO|access-date=31 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904043256/http://www.letour.com/le-tour/2016/us/classifications.html|archive-date=4 September 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} Six days after the Tour de France, he finished fifth in the Clásica de San Sebastián in Spain.{{cite web|last1=Farrand|first1=Stephen|title=Mollema wins Clasica San Sebastian|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/clasica-ciclista-san-sebastian-2016/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=30 July 2016|access-date=31 March 2017}}
File:Forte de Copacabana panorama.jpg, finishing near Fort Copacabana, at the Rio Olympics.]]
On 6 August 2016, Van Avermaet won the men's individual road race at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He initially joined a six-man breakaway on the first of three passes of the {{convert|25.7|km|adj=on}} Vista Chinesa Circuit loop, and managed to stay in contact with several climbing specialists on the next ascents. Van Avermaet was distanced by Vincenzo Nibali, Sergio Henao and Rafał Majka on the final climb, but after Nibali and Henao crashed out of the race on the final descent, Van Avermaet tandemed with Jakob Fuglsang to catch Majka on the run-in to the finish.{{cite news|last1=Robinson|first1=Joshua|title=Greg van Avermaet Wins Gold For Belgium in Men's Road Race|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/greg-van-avermaet-wins-gold-for-belgium-in-mens-road-race-1470528370|website=The Wall Street Journal|date=7 August 2016|publisher=News Corp|access-date=7 August 2016}}{{cite web|title=Greg Van Avermaet grabs gold amid the carnage in Rio 2016 road race|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/06/olympic-mens-road-race-greg-van-avermaet|website=The Guardian|date=6 August 2016|publisher=Guardian News and Media|access-date=7 August 2016}} Van Avermaet won the three-man sprint on Copacabana Beach before Fuglsang and Majka to claim the Olympic gold medal.{{cite web|last1=Rogers|first1=Neal|title=Belgium's Greg Van Avermaet takes gold medal at crash-marred Olympic road race|url=http://cyclingtips.com/2016/08/belgiums-greg-van-avermaet-takes-gold-medal-at-crash-marred-olympic-road-race/|website=cyclingtips.com|date=6 August 2016|access-date=7 August 2016|archive-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025221644/http://cyclingtips.com/2016/08/belgiums-greg-van-avermaet-takes-gold-medal-at-crash-marred-olympic-road-race/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Olympic Games Road Race (Olympics)|url=http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Olympic_Games_Road_Race_2016|website=ProCyclingStats|access-date=6 August 2016}}
Later in the season he finished second in the Grand Prix de Québec behind Peter Sagan; he won the Grand Prix de Montréal ahead of Sagan;{{cite web|title=Montreal: Van Avermaet out-sprints Sagan|url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2016/09/news/montreal-van-avermaet-sprints-sagan_420448|website=velonews.com|access-date=29 September 2016|archive-date=11 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111045730/http://velonews.competitor.com/2016/09/news/montreal-van-avermaet-sprints-sagan_420448|url-status=dead}} ended fourth overall in the Eneco Tour;{{cite web|last1=Farrand|first1=Stephen|title=Terpstra wins Eneco Tour as Dennis crashes out|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/eneco-tour-2016/stage-7/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=25 September 2016|access-date=29 September 2016}} as well as fourth in Binche–Chimay–Binche.{{cite web|title=Démare wins Binche-Chimay-Binche|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/binche-chimay-binche-mmorial-frank-vandenbroucke-2016/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=4 October 2016|publisher=Immediate Media Company|access-date=4 October 2016}} He ended the season with a 10th place at the World Road Race Championships in Qatar.{{cite web|title=Worlds: Sagan doubles up in Doha|url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2016/10/news/road/worlds-sagan-doubles-doha_423052|website=VeloNews.com|access-date=16 October 2016|archive-date=6 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106023459/http://velonews.competitor.com/2016/10/news/road/worlds-sagan-doubles-doha_423052|url-status=dead}}
=2017: King of the spring classics and world number one=
After suffering an ankle fracture during the winter,{{cite web|title=Van Avermaet fractures ankle in mountain bike crash|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-avermaet-fractures-ankle-in-mountain-bike-crash/|website=cyclingnews|date=14 November 2016|access-date=29 March 2017}} Van Avermaet started his 2017 campaign in February at the Tour of the Valencian Community,{{cite web|title=Van Avermaet ready to start racing after offseason ankle injury|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-avermaet-ready-to-start-racing-after-offseason-ankle-injury/|website=cyclingnews|date=27 January 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}} in which his {{UCI team code|BMC|2017|nolink=yes}} won the opening team time trial.{{cite news|title=BMC wins opening TTT in Valencia|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/volta-a-la-comunitat-valenciana-2017/stage-1/results/|access-date=29 March 2017}} Later in February he rode the Tour of Oman, before competing in the opening weekend of Belgian races. He won his second consecutive Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, again after beating Peter Sagan in a three-man sprint in Ghent;{{cite web|title=Greg Van Avermaet wins Omloop Het Nieuwsblad|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/omloop-het-nieuwsblad-elite-2017/results/|website=cyclingnews|date=25 February 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}} and finished seventh in Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne the next day.{{cite web|title=Peter Sagan wins Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/kuurne-brussel-kuurne-2017/results/|website=cyclingnews|date=26 February 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}}
As usual, he proceeded his spring campaign in the Italian races Strade Bianche, in which he finished second behind Michał Kwiatkowski;{{cite web|last1=Ryan|first1=Barry|title=Kwiatkowski solos to Strade Bianche victory|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/strade-bianche-2017/results/|website=cyclingnews|date=4 March 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}} Tirreno–Adriatico, in which his {{UCI team code|BMC|2017|nolink=yes}} won the team time trial and he moved into the race lead for one day;{{cite web|last1=Weislo|first1=Laura|title=Tirreno–Adriatico: Thomas wins stage 2 in Pomarance|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tirreno-adriatico-2017/stage-2/results/|website=cyclingnews|date=9 March 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}} and was 21st in Milan–San Remo.{{cite web|last1=Westemeyer|first1=Susan|title=Kwiatkowski wins Milan–San Remo|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/milan-san-remo-2017/results/|website=cyclingnews|date=18 March 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}} On 24 March, Van Avermaet won E3 Harelbeke in a three-man sprint with Philippe Gilbert and Oliver Naesen.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/e3-harelbeke-2017/results/|title=Van Avermaet wins E3 Harelbeke|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=24 March 2017|access-date=24 March 2017}} Two days later, he continued his winning streak with victory in Gent–Wevelgem in a two-man sprint against Jens Keukeleire.{{cite news|url=http://www.velonews.com/2017/03/news/van-avermaet-wins-gent-wevelgem_433670|title=Van Avermaet wins Gent–Wevelgem|work=VeloNews|date=26 March 2017|access-date=26 March 2017|agency=Agence France-Presse}} The pairing had broken away from a select group of riders on the run-in towards Wevelgem.{{cite web|title=Van Avermaet wins E3 Harelbeke|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/e3-harelbeke-2017/results/|website=cyclingnews|date=24 March 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}}{{cite web|title=Men's Gent–Wevelgem Gallery: Van Avermaet backs up E3 with historic win|url=http://www.velonews.com/2017/03/news/road/mens-gent-wevelgem-gallery-van-avermaet-backs-e3-historic-win_433705|website=VeloNews.com|date=26 March 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}} Van Avermaet became the second rider to win Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, E3 Harelbeke and Gent–Wevelgem in the same season, after Jan Raas in 1981, and moved into the lead of the UCI World Tour.{{cite web|title=Greg Van Avermaet wins Gent–Wevelgem|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/gent-wevelgem-2017/results/|website=cyclilngnews|date=26 March 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}}
File:Paris-Roubaix 2017 S7 26km.jpg at the 2017 Paris–Roubaix. (Pictured in third position in the lead group at {{convert|26|km|abbr=off}} from the finish)]]
Still seeking his first win in a monument classic, he was favourite for the Tour of Flanders, but crashed on the final ascent of Oude Kwaremont together with Peter Sagan as they were chasing Philippe Gilbert. Halted in his pursuit, he finished second behind his former teammate Gilbert.{{cite web|last1=Decaluwé|first1=Brecht|title=Van Avermaet: Flanders wasn't over until Kwaremont crash|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-avermaet-flanders-wasnt-over-until-kwaremont-crash/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=2 April 2017|publisher=Immediate Media Company|access-date=3 April 2017}} On 9 April 2017, Van Avermaet won Paris–Roubaix, claiming his first career monument victory.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/paris-roubaix-2017/results/|title=Van Avermaet wins Paris–Roubaix|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=9 April 2017|access-date=9 April 2017}} After suffering a mechanical failure at {{convert|100|km|abbr=off}} from the finish and a {{convert|22|km|adj=on}} chase to return to the peloton, he made the decisive move with {{convert|30|km|abbr=off}} to go. He broke away with five others on the cobbled sector of Templeuve-en-Pévèle in pursuit of his teammate Daniel Oss. After the sector of Carrefour de l'Arbre, only Zdeněk Štybar and Sebastian Langeveld were with him, and Van Avermaet outsprinted his companions for the win on the Roubaix Velodrome. Van Avermaet's average speed of {{convert|45.204|km/h}} was the fastest in Paris–Roubaix history, breaking the previous record set by Peter Post in 1964.{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/paris-roubaix-2017/results/ |title=Van Avermaet wins Paris–Roubaix|date=9 April 2017 |website=cyclingnews.com |access-date=10 April 2017}}{{efn|Peter Post's 1964 record was set during an era when the race parcours had far fewer cobbled sectors.}} The race was also the first monument win for the {{UCI team code|BMC|2017|nolink=yes}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bmc-celebrate-their-first-ever-monument-victory-at-paris-roubaix/ |title=BMC celebrate their first ever Monument victory at Paris–Roubaix |last=Farrand |first=Stephen |date=10 April 2017 |website=cyclingnews.com|access-date=10 April 2017}} He ended his spring campaign with a 12th place in the Amstel Gold Race and 11th in Liège–Bastogne–Liège.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/philippe-gilbert-beats-michal-kwiatkowski-victory-amstel-gold-race-325486|title=Philippe Gilbert beats Michał Kwiatkowski to victory at Amstel Gold Race|first=Richard|last=Windsor|work=Cycling Weekly|date=16 April 2017|access-date=16 April 2017}}{{cite web|title=Valverde wins Liège–Bastogne–Liège|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/liege-bastogne-liege-2017/results/|website=cyclingnews.com|date=23 April 2017|publisher=Immediate Media Company|access-date=23 April 2017}}
Building up towards the Tour de France, he won two stages and the general classification at the Tour of Luxembourg,{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/skoda-tour-de-luxembourg-2017/stage-4/results/|title=Van Avermaet wins Tour de Luxembourg|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=4 June 2017|access-date=5 June 2017}} followed by 48th place overall at the Tour de Suisse. He failed to win a stage at the Tour de France, with a second-place finish on stage 14 to Rodez as best stage result.{{cite web |last1=Westemeyer |first1=Susan |title=Tour de France: Matthews wins in Rodez as Froome moves into yellow |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2017/stage-14/results/ |website=cyclingnews.com |date=15 July 2017 |publisher=Immediate Media Company |access-date=8 July 2019 }} After the Tour de France, he was eighth in the Clásica San Sebastián, fourth overall in the Binckbank Tour and tenth in the Bretagne Classic.{{cite web |title=Dumoulin takes overall victory at BinckBank Tour |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/eneco-tour-2017/stage-7/results/ |website=cyclingnews.com |date=13 August 2017 |publisher=Immediate Media Company |access-date=8 July 2019 }} In September, he finished second at the Grand Prix de Québec, seventh at the Grand Prix de Montréal and was sixth in the World Road Race Championships in Bergen, Norway.{{cite web|last1=Westemeyer|first1=Susan|title=Sagan takes historic third world championship in Bergen|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/uci-road-world-championships-2017/elite-men-road-race/results/|website=Cyclingnews|date=24 September 2017|access-date=12 April 2018}} He ended the year as world number one on both the UCI World Ranking and UCI World Tour, a place he held since April 2017.{{cite web|title=Ranking - Cycling - Road 2017|url=http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/cache/2/TheASP.asp@PageID%3D19007&TaalCode%3D2&StyleID%3D0&SportID%3D102&CompetitionID%3D27323&EventID%3D12146&GenderID%3D1&ClassID%3D1&SeasonID%3D492&EventPhaseID%3D1627715&Phase1ID%3D1627740&ContainerEventID%3D12146&Detail%3D1&Cache%3D2.html?958156|website=uci.ch|publisher=UCI|access-date=14 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415103943/http://www.uci.html.infostradasports.com/cache/2/TheASP.asp%40PageID%3D19007%26TaalCode%3D2%26StyleID%3D0%26SportID%3D102%26CompetitionID%3D27323%26EventID%3D12146%26GenderID%3D1%26ClassID%3D1%26SeasonID%3D492%26EventPhaseID%3D1627715%26Phase1ID%3D1627740%26ContainerEventID%3D12146%26Detail%3D1%26Cache%3D2.html?958156|archive-date=15 April 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
=2018: One week in the yellow jersey=
File:Tour de France 2018 (29571589858) (cropped).jpg. (pictured in the breakaway during stage 9 to Roubaix)]]
As world number one, Van Avermaet kicked off the 2018 season with 20th place overall in the Tour of Valencia and 16th overall in the Tour of Oman, in which he won the third stage in a group sprint on the Wadi Dayqah Dam.{{cite web|last1=Westemeyer|first1=Susan|title=Tour of Oman: Van Avermaet wins stage 3|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-oman-2018/stage-3/results/|website=Cyclingnews|date=15 February 2018|publisher=Immediate Media Company|access-date=12 April 2018}} He proceeded with 50th place in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad,{{cite web|last1=Brecht|first1=Decaluwé|title=Van Avermaet rues missed chance for Omloop Het Nieuwsblad hat-trick|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-avermaet-rues-missed-chance-for-omloop-het-nieuwsblad-hat-trick/|website=Cyclingnews|date=25 February 2018|access-date=12 April 2018}} 34th in Strade Bianche,{{cite web|title=Van Avermaet struggles in the cold and wet conditions at Strade Bianche|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-avermaet-struggles-in-the-cold-and-wet-conditions-at-strade-bianche/|website=Cyclingnews|date=4 March 2018|access-date=12 April 2018}} 20th overall in Tirreno–Adriatico,{{cite web|last1=Benson|first1=Daniel|title=Van Avermaet: Winning races isn't as easy as flicking a switch|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-avermaet-winning-races-isnt-as-easy-as-flicking-a-switch/|website=Cyclingnews|date=9 March 2018|access-date=12 April 2018}} and 17th in Milan–San Remo.{{cite web|title=NIbali wins Milan–San Remo|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/milan-san-remo-2018/results/|website=Cyclingnews|date=17 March 2018|access-date=12 April 2018}} In the cobbled classics of Belgium and France, Van Avermaet was at the front in every race but failed to secure a win, finishing third in E3 Harelbeke,{{cite web|last1=Fletcher|first1=Patrick|title=Van Avermaet makes the best of a bad situation in E3 Harelbeke|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-avermaet-makes-the-best-of-a-bad-situation-in-e3-harelbeke/|website=Cyclingnews|date=23 March 2018|access-date=12 April 2018}} 14th in Gent–Wevelgem,{{cite web|last1=Ryan|first1=Barry|title=Van Avermaet: I have the same feelings as last year|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-avermaet-i-have-the-same-feelings-as-last-year/|website=Cyclingnews|date=25 March 2018|access-date=12 April 2018}} and eighth in Dwars door Vlaanderen.{{cite web|last1=Ryan|first1=Barry|title=Van Avermaet: The Tour of Flanders is the race that suits me the best|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-avermaet-the-tour-of-flanders-is-the-race-that-suits-me-the-best/|website=Cyclingnews|date=28 March 2018|access-date=12 April 2018}} In the Tour of Flanders he accelerated on the Taaienberg, at 38 km from the finish, but was unable to break clear and finished fifth.{{cite web|last1=Ryan|first1=Barry|title=Tour of Flanders: A different kind of disappointment for Van Avermaet|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-of-flanders-a-different-kind-of-disappointment-for-van-avermaet/|website=Cyclingnews|date=April 2018|access-date=12 April 2018}} One week later he was fourth at Paris–Roubaix, after his move on the cobbled sector of Auchy-lez-Orchies was counter-attacked by the eventual winner Peter Sagan at 54 km from Roubaix.{{cite web|last1=Decaluwé|first1=Brecht|title=Van Avermaet turns to Amstel Gold after Paris–Roubaix loss|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-avermaet-turns-to-amstel-gold-after-paris-roubaix-loss/|website=Cyclingnews|date=8 April 2018|access-date=13 April 2018}}
In May, he won the Tour of Yorkshire after an attack in the final stage to Leeds.{{cite news |last1=Scrivener |first1=Peter |title=Tour de Yorkshire: Greg van Avermaet takes title as Rossetto wins in Leeds |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/44025192 |access-date=8 July 2019 }} He won the opening team time trial with his BMC team of the Tour de Suisse in June, before entering the Tour de France. Van Avermaet moved into the yellow jersey on the third day of the Tour after BMC won the team time trial in Cholet.{{cite web |last1=Decaluwé |first1=Brecht |title=Greg Van Avermaet rides a Belgian wave to Tour de France lead. BMC rider takes maillot jaune after TTT victory. |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/greg-van-avermaet-rides-a-belgian-wave-to-tour-de-france-lead/ |website=cyclingnews.com |date=9 July 2018 |publisher=Immediate Media Company |access-date=8 July 2019}} He finished second, in the yellow jersey, in stage 9 to Roubaix, which included {{convert|21.7|km|mi|abbr=on}} of cobbled sectors. Van Avermaet was beaten by John Degenkolb in a three-man sprint after they broke clear at {{convert|17|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the finish.{{cite web |title=Tour de France: Degenkolb wins much-feared stage in Roubaix |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/stage-9/results/ |website=cyclingnews.com |access-date=16 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716095413/http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/stage-9/results/ |archive-date=16 July 2018 |date=15 July 2018}} He managed to keep the maillot jaune for another day, after he went in the breakaway and finished fourth in the first mountain stage to Le Grand Bornand.{{cite web | url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2018/stage-10/results/|title=Tour de France: Alaphilippe wins in Le Grand Bornand|work=www.cyclingnews.com|date=17 July 2018}} He wore the yellow jersey for eight days and finished 28th in the general classification.{{cite web |title=105th Tour de France (2.UWT) General classification |url=https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/tour-de-france/2018/gc |website=ProCyclingStats |access-date=8 July 2019}}
In August, Van Avermaet finished fourth in the Clásica de San Sebastián,{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/clasica-ciclista-san-sebastian-2018/results/|title=Julian Alaphilippe wins Clásica de San Sebastián|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=4 August 2018|access-date=5 August 2018}} 25th in the European road race championship in Glasgow and was sixth overall in the BinckBank Tour.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/binckbank-tour-2018/stage-7/results/|title=Mohoric wins 2018 BinckBank Tour|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=19 August 2018|access-date=19 August 2018}} Later in the season, he secured a second-place finish at the Grand Prix de Québec and third in the Grand Prix de Montréal, both times behind winner Michael Matthews.{{cite web |title=GP Montreal: Matthews conquers Canada |url=https://www.velonews.com/2018/09/race-report/gp-montreal-matthews-conquers-canada_478366 |website=velonews.com |date=10 September 2018 |access-date=8 July 2019 }} He ended the season at the World Road Race Championships in Innsbruck, Austria. He claimed the bronze medal with his BMC team at the team time trial event and finished 50th in the men's road race.{{cite web |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-cycling-world/cycling-valverde-wins-mens-world-championship-road-race-idUKKCN1MA0TP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001180142/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-cycling-world/cycling-valverde-wins-mens-world-championship-road-race-idUKKCN1MA0TP |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 October 2018 |title=Cycling – Valverde wins men's World Championship road race |last=Jennings |first=Simon|date=30 September 2018|editor-last=Davis |editor-first=Toby |website=reuters.com|access-date=5 October 2018}}
=2019: CCC Pro Team=
File:Tour de France 2019, Greg Van Avermaet (48417059452).jpg]]
In 2019, BMC changed sponsorship following the death of team owner Andy Rihs. Poland-based shoe retailer CCC became the new title sponsor, leaving Van Avermaet as the prime anchor of the team.{{cite web |last1=Hood |first1=Andrew |title=Ochowicz unveils new team name: CCC Team |url=https://www.velonews.com/2018/09/news/ochowicz-unveils-new-team-name-ccc-team_479442 |website=velonews.com |date=27 September 2018 |access-date=8 July 2019 }} He started the season with a stage win and 21st place overall in the Tour of Valencia and 17th overall in the Tour of Oman, but failed to secure another win in his classics campaign.{{cite web |last1=Fletcher |first1=Patrick |title=Van Avermaet 'super happy' with individual and team display on frenetic Oman stage |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-avermaet-super-happy-with-individual-and-team-display-on-frenetic-oman-stage/ |website=cyclingnews.com |date=18 February 2019 |publisher=Immediate Media Company |access-date=8 July 2019 }} He finished second at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad behind Zdeněk Štybar, sixth in Strade Bianche, third in E3 Harelbeke and a disappointing tenth in the Tour of Flanders.{{cite web |last1=Decaluwé |first1=Brecht |title=Van Avermaet: 'The best rider won and that makes it easier to deal with the disappointment' CCC leader says after Flanders |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-avermaet-bettiol-is-the-biggest-surprise-of-the-day/ |website=cyclingnews.com |date=7 April 2019 |publisher=Immediate Media Company |access-date=8 July 2019 }} On 15 September 2019 Van Avermaet won the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal for the second time in his career.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/grand-prix-cycliste-de-montreal-2019/elite-men/results/|title=GP de Montréal: Van Avermaet wins|work=CyclingNews|date=15 September 2019|access-date=15 September 2019}}
Doping allegations
In April 2015 the Royal Belgian Cycling League requested a two-year ban for Van Avermaet, the disqualification of all his results during the 2012 season and a €262,500 fine following an investigation into suspected anti-doping offences. It was reported in the Belgian media that their accusations focused on allegations of Van Avermaet's use of the corticoid Diprophos, and Vaminolact, a fortified baby food which is banned from being injected.{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/belgian-federation-requests-two-year-doping-ban-for-greg-van-avermaet |title=Belgian Federation requests two-year doping ban for Greg Van Avermaet|date=16 April 2015 |website=cyclingnews.com|access-date=16 April 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/greg-van-avermaet-facing-possibility-of-two-year-ban-after-doping-hearing-166917|title=Greg Van Avermaet facing possibility of two-year ban after doping hearing|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=IPC Media Sports & Leisure network|date=16 April 2015|access-date=16 April 2015|first=Richard|last=Windsor}} On 7 May 2015, it was announced that Van Avermaet was cleared of all allegations.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-avermaet-cleared-of-doping-charges|title=Van Avermaet cleared of doping charges|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=7 May 2015|access-date=7 May 2015}}
Major results
{{div col|colwidth=24em}}
;2005
: 8th Road race, UEC European Under-23 Road Championships
: 8th Ronde van Vlaanderen U23
: 9th Flèche Ardennaise
;2006
: 1st {{cjersey|belgium}} Road race, National Under-23 Road Championships
: 1st Internationale Wielertrofee Jong Maar Moedig
: 1st Kattekoers
: 1st GP Berlare
: 2nd Paris–Tours Espoirs
: 4th Grand Prix de Waregem
: 8th Overall Le Triptyque des Monts et Châteaux
: 8th Overall Giro delle Regioni
: 9th Circuit de Wallonie
: 9th Druivenkoers Overijse
;2007 (4 pro wins)
: 1st Rund um die Hainleite
: 1st Memorial Rik Van Steenbergen
: 1st Stage 5 Tour of Qatar
: 1st Stage 2 Tour de Wallonie
: 3rd Ronde van het Groene Hart
: 3rd GP Briek Schotte
: 4th Grand Prix d'Isbergues
: 4th Nokere Koerse
: 5th Grand Prix of Aargau Canton
: 5th Grote Prijs Gerrie Knetemann
: 6th Overall Tour de Picardie
: 6th Halle–Ingooigem
: 8th Vattenfall Cyclassics
: 9th Overall Tour of Belgium
;2008 (4)
::1st {{cjersey|blue}} Points classification
::1st Stage 9
::1st {{cjersey|green}} Points classification
::1st Stage 2
: 2nd Overall Tour of Belgium
::1st Stage 3
: 2nd Overall Tour de Wallonie
::1st Stage 3
: 3rd Overall Tour of Qatar
::1st {{cjersey|blue}} Young rider classification
: 3rd E3 Prijs Vlaanderen
: 4th Road race, National Road Championships
: 7th Overall Tour de Picardie
: 7th GP Ouest–France
: 7th Grote Prijs Stad Zottegem
: 8th Tour of Flanders
;2009
: 1st Heistse Pijl
: 4th Road race, National Road Championships
: 4th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
: 4th Halle–Ingooigem
: 5th Overall Tour of Belgium
: 5th Grand Prix d'Isbergues
: 6th Grote Prijs Jef Scherens
: 9th Grand Prix of Aargau Canton
;2010
: 3rd Halle–Ingooigem
: 4th Road race, National Road Championships
: 5th Road race, UCI Road World Championships
: 7th Grote Prijs Stad Zottegem
: 8th Brabantse Pijl
: 9th Overall Tour de l'Ain
;2011 (4)
: 1st {{cjersey|yellow}} Overall Tour de Wallonie
::1st Stage 5
: 1st Paris–Tours
::1st {{cjersey|red}} Points classification
::1st Stage 6
: 2nd Overall Tour of Belgium
: 2nd Gran Piemonte
: 2nd Clásica de San Sebastián
: 4th Halle–Ingooigem
: 7th Liège–Bastogne–Liège
: 7th Binche–Chimay–Binche
: 9th Milan–San Remo
: 9th Strade Bianche
;2012
: 2nd Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
: 2nd Grand Prix de Wallonie
: 4th Tour of Flanders
: 5th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
: 5th Strade Bianche
: 5th Brabantse Pijl
: 6th Paris–Tours
: 8th Gran Piemonte
: 9th Trofeo Deià
;2013 (4)
: 1st {{cjersey|yellow}} Overall Tour de Wallonie
::1st {{cjersey|blue}} Points classification
::1st Stages 3 & 5
: 1st Stage 1 Tour of Utah
: 3rd Gent–Wevelgem
: 3rd Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
: 3rd Binche–Chimay–Binche
: 4th Paris–Roubaix
: 4th Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal
: 5th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
: 6th Overall Tour of Qatar
::1st Stage 2 (TTT)
: 6th Strade Bianche
: 6th Brabantse Pijl
: 6th Grand Prix of Aargau Canton
: 7th Tour of Flanders
;2014 (3)
: 1st Grand Prix de Wallonie
: 1st Grand Prix Impanis-Van Petegem
: 2nd Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
: 2nd Tour of Flanders
: 4th Binche–Chimay–Binche
: 5th Road race, UCI Road World Championships
: 5th Overall Eneco Tour
::1st Stage 5
: 5th Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
: 7th Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal
: 8th Clásica de San Sebastián
: 10th Overall Tour of Belgium
: 10th E3 Harelbeke
;2015 (4)
: 1st {{cjersey|red}} Overall Tour of Belgium
::1st Stage 4
::1st Stages 9 (TTT) & 13
: 1st Stage 3 Tirreno–Adriatico
: 2nd Overall Eneco Tour
: 2nd Strade Bianche
: 3rd Road race, National Road Championships
: 3rd Tour of Flanders
: 3rd Paris–Roubaix
: 3rd Paris–Tours
: 5th Overall Tour of Qatar
: 5th Amstel Gold Race
: 5th Vattenfall Cyclassics
: 6th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
: 7th Overall Tour de Yorkshire
: 8th UCI World Tour
: 10th Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
;2016 (6)
: 1st 15px Road race, Olympic Games
: 1st {{cjersey|azul}} Overall Tirreno–Adriatico
::1st Stages 1 (TTT) & 6
: 1st Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal
: 1st Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
::1st Stage 5
::Held {{cjersey|yellow}} after Stages 5–7
: 1st Gullegem Koerse
: 2nd Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
: 3rd Road race, National Road Championships
: 3rd Overall Tour of Qatar
: 4th Overall Eneco Tour
::1st Stage 5 (TTT)
: 4th Binche–Chimay–Binche
: 5th Milan–San Remo
: 5th Clásica de San Sebastián
: 6th UCI World Tour
: 6th Strade Bianche
: 9th Gent–Wevelgem
: 10th Road race, UCI Road World Championships
;2017 (7)
: 1st UCI World Tour
: 1st {{cjersey|gold}} Overall Tour de Luxembourg
::1st {{cjersey|blue}} Points classification
::1st Stages 2 & 4
: 1st Paris–Roubaix
: 1st Gent–Wevelgem
: 1st E3 Harelbeke
: 1st Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
: 1st Stage 1 (TTT) Tirreno–Adriatico
: 1st Stage 1 (TTT) Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana
: 2nd Tour of Flanders
: 2nd Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
: 2nd Strade Bianche
: 4th Overall BinckBank Tour
: 6th Road race, UCI Road World Championships
: 7th Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne
: 7th Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal
: 8th Clásica de San Sebastián
: 10th Bretagne Classic
;2018 (2)
: 1st {{cjersey|turquoise}} Overall Tour de Yorkshire
::1st {{cjersey|green}} Points classification
::1st Stage 3 (TTT)
::Held {{cjersey|yellow}} after Stages 3–10
::{{cjersey|red number}} Combativity award Stage 10
: 1st Stage 3 Tour of Oman
: 1st Stage 1 (TTT) Tirreno–Adriatico
: 1st Stage 1 (TTT) Tour de Suisse
: 1st Stage 3 (TTT) Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana
: 2nd Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
: 3rd 15px Team time trial, UCI Road World Championships
: 3rd E3 Harelbeke
: 3rd Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal
: 4th Paris–Roubaix
: 4th Clásica de San Sebastián
: 5th UCI World Tour
: 5th Tour of Flanders
: 6th Overall BinckBank Tour
: 8th Dwars door Vlaanderen
;2019 (3)
: 1st Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal
: 1st Stage 3 Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana
: 2nd Overall Tour de Yorkshire
::1st Stage 4
: 2nd Clásica de San Sebastián
: 2nd Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
: 3rd E3 Binckbank Classic
: 3rd Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
: 4th Overall BinckBank Tour
: 6th Strade Bianche
: 6th Bretagne Classic
: 7th Primus Classic
: 8th Road race, UCI Road World Championships
: 10th Tour of Flanders
::Held {{cjersey|polkadot}} after Stages 1–2
::{{cjersey|red number}} Combativity award Stage 18
;2020
: 2nd Overall Tour de Wallonie
: 3rd Gran Trittico Lombardo
: 8th Milan–San Remo
: 8th Strade Bianche
;2021
: 3rd Tour of Flanders
: 6th E3 Saxo Bank Classic
: 7th Overall Étoile de Bessèges
: 7th Dwars door Vlaanderen
: 8th Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne
: 8th Paris–Camembert
: {{cjersey|red number}} Combativity award Stage 6 Tour de France
;2022
: 3rd Overall Tour du Limousin
: 3rd Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
: 4th UCI Gravel World Championships
: 4th Binche–Chimay–Binche
: 5th Overall Tour de Wallonie
: 5th Tour du Finistère
: 9th Circuit Franco-Belge
;2023 (1)
: 1st Boucles de l'Aulne
: 4th Tour du Finistère
{{div col end}}
=General classification results timeline=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|colspan=18 align="center"|Grand Tour general classification results |
| scope="col" | Grand Tour
! scope="col" | 2007 ! scope="col" | 2008 ! scope="col" | 2009 ! scope="col" | 2010 ! scope="col" | 2011 ! scope="col" | 2012 ! scope="col" | 2013 ! scope="col" | 2014 ! scope="col" | 2015 ! scope="col" | 2016 ! scope="col" | 2017 ! scope="col" | 2018 ! scope="col" | 2019 ! scope="col" | 2020 ! scope="col" | 2021 ! scope="col" | 2022 ! scope="col" | 2023 |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | {{cjersey|pink}} Giro d'Italia | style="color:#4d4d4d;" colspan=17|Did not contest during his career |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | {{cjersey|yellow}} Tour de France | — | — | 85 | — | — | — | — | 38 | DNF | 44 | 58 | 28 | 36 | 50 | 97 | — | — |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | {{cjersey|gold}}/{{cjersey|red}} Vuelta a España | — | 66 | — | 49 | 82 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| colspan=18 align="center"|Major stage race general classification results |
| scope="col" | Race
! scope="col" | 2007 ! scope="col" | 2008 ! scope="col" | 2009 ! scope="col" | 2010 ! scope="col" | 2011 ! scope="col" | 2012 ! scope="col" | 2013 ! scope="col" | 2014 ! scope="col" | 2015 ! scope="col" | 2016 ! scope="col" | 2017 ! scope="col" | 2018 ! scope="col" | 2019 ! scope="col" | 2020 ! scope="col" | 2021 ! scope="col" | 2022 ! scope="col" | 2023 |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | {{Cjersey|Paris–Nice}} Paris–Nice | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 41 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | {{Cjersey|azul}} Tirreno–Adriatico | — | — | 59 | 12 | 29 | DNF | 49 | — | 48 | style="background:dodgerblue;" |{{font colour|white|1|link=2016 Tirreno–Adriatico}} | 36 | 20 | 16 | — | 34 | 57 | 61 |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | {{Cjersey|Volta a Catalunya}} Volta a Catalunya | style="color:#4d4d4d;" colspan=18 rowspan=3 |Did not contest during his career |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | {{Cjersey|yellow}} Tour of the Basque Country |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | {{Cjersey|yellow}} Tour de Romandie |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | {{Cjersey|yellow}} Critérium du Dauphiné | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 45 | — | 76 | — | — | — | — | 81 | 93 | 76 |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | {{Cjersey|yellow}} Tour de Suisse | — | 54 | 82 | 43 | 60 | DNF | 121 | — | 33 | — | 48 | 29 | 48 | style="color:#4d4d4d;"|NH | — | — | — |
=Classics results timeline=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| Monument
! scope="col" | 2007 ! scope="col" | 2008 ! scope="col" | 2009 ! scope="col" | 2010 ! scope="col" | 2011 ! scope="col" | 2012 ! scope="col" | 2013 ! scope="col" | 2014 ! scope="col" | 2015 ! scope="col" | 2016 ! scope="col" | 2017 ! scope="col" | 2018 ! scope="col" | 2019 ! scope="col" | 2020 ! scope="col" | 2021 ! scope="col" | 2022 ! scope="col" | 2023 |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | Milan–San Remo | — | 53 | 13 | 47 | style="background:#ddf;" |9 | 69 | 36 | 25 | 19 | style="background:#ddf;" |5 | 21 | 17 | 42 | style="background:#ddf;" |8 | 13 | 35 | — |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | Tour of Flanders | DNF | style="background:#ddf;" |8 | 35 | 39 | 22 | style="background:#ddf;" |4 | style="background:#ddf;" |7 | style="background:silver;" |2 | style="background:#C9AE5D;"|3 | DNF | style="background:silver;" |2 | style="background:#ddf;" |5 | style="background:#ddf;" |10 | — | style="background:#C9AE5D;"|3 | 15 | 62 |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | Paris–Roubaix | 29 | 27 | 38 | 27 | — | — | style="background:#ddf;" |4 | 17 | style="background:#C9AE5D;"|3 | — | style="background:gold;" |1 | style="background:#ddf;" |4 | 12 | style="color:#4d4d4d;"|NH | 32 | 17 | 37 |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | Liège–Bastogne–Liège | — | — | — | — | style="background:#ddf;" |7 | 73 | 63 | — | — | — | 11 | — | 52 | DNF | 40 | — | — |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | Giro di Lombardia | — | — | — | 15 | 12 | 17 | 19 | — | — | DNF | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Classic
! scope="col" | 2007 ! scope="col" | 2008 ! scope="col" | 2009 ! scope="col" | 2010 ! scope="col" | 2011 ! scope="col" | 2012 ! scope="col" | 2013 ! scope="col" | 2014 ! scope="col" | 2015 ! scope="col" | 2016 ! scope="col" | 2017 ! scope="col" | 2018 ! scope="col" | 2019 ! scope="col" | 2020 ! scope="col" | 2021 ! scope="col" | 2022 ! scope="col" | 2023 |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | {{Lang|nl|Omloop Het Nieuwsblad|italic=no}} | 84 | — | style="background:#ddf;" |4 | 108 | 30 | style="background:#ddf;" |5 | style="background:#ddf;" |5 | style="background:silver;" |2 | style="background:#ddf;" |6 | style="background:gold;" |1 | style="background:gold;" |1 | 50 | style="background:silver;" |2 | 13 | 33 | style="background:#C9AE5D;"|3 | 34 |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne | — | — | — | DNF | 81 | 101 | style="color:#4d4d4d;"|NH | 24 | 69 | 74 | style="background:#ddf;" |7 | 56 | — | 26 | style="background:#ddf;" |8 | 51 | 81 |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | Strade Bianche | — | — | — | 13 | style="background:#ddf;" |9 | style="background:#ddf;" |5 | style="background:#ddf;" |6 | — | style="background:silver;" |2 | style="background:#ddf;" |6 | style="background:silver;" |2 | 34 | style="background:#ddf;" |6 | style="background:#ddf;" |8 | 19 | 41 | 45 |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | E3 Saxo Bank Classic{{efn|Race known as E3 Prijs Vlaanderen from 2007 to 2011, E3 Harelbeke from 2012 to 2018 and the E3 BinckBank Classic in 2019.}} | 89 | style="background:#C9AE5D;"|3 | 28 | 26 | — | 26 | 24 | style="background:#ddf;" |10 | 88 | — | style="background:gold;" |1 | style="background:#C9AE5D;"|3 | style="background:#C9AE5D;"|3 | style="color:#4d4d4d;"|NH | style="background:#ddf;" |6 | 42 | DNF |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | Gent–Wevelgem | — | 170 | — | — | 13 | 27 | style="background:#C9AE5D;"|3 | 28 | 36 | style="background:#ddf;" |9 | style="background:gold;" |1 | 14 | 20 | — | 12 | 17 | 85 |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | Dwars door Vlaanderen | — | 74 | — | 11 | 22 | — | — | — | — | 32 | — | style="background:#ddf;" |8 | — | style="color:#4d4d4d;"|NH | style="background:#ddf;" |7 | 16 | 89 |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | Scheldeprijs | 102 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 89 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | Brabantse Pijl | — | — | — | style="background:#ddf;" |8 | 15 | style="background:#ddf;" |5 | style="background:#ddf;" |6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | — | DNF |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | Amstel Gold Race | — | 84 | — | — | 24 | 36 | 16 | 40 | style="background:#ddf;" |5 | — | 12 | 14 | 14 | style="color:#4d4d4d;"|NH | 26 | 24 | 26 |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | La Flèche Wallonne | — | — | — | — | 15 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | Clásica de San Sebastián | — | — | — | 11 | style="background:#C9AE5D;"|3 | 13 | 18 | style="background:#ddf;" |8 | DNF | style="background:#ddf;" |5 | style="background:#ddf;" |8 | style="background:#ddf;" |4 | style="background:silver;" |2 | style="color:#4d4d4d;"|NH | — | — | — |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | Hamburg Cyclassics | style="background:#ddf;" |8 | 79 | 65 | — | — | 38 | — | 61 | style="background:#ddf;" |5 | — | 30 | — | — | style="color:#4d4d4d;" colspan=2| Not held | 27 | 45 |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | Bretagne Classic | — | style="background:#ddf;" |7 | — | 24 | — | 37 | 71 | 76 | 73 | 46 | style="background:#ddf;" |10 | — | style="background:#ddf;" |6 | — | — | — | 43 |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec | style="color:#4d4d4d;" colspan=3 rowspan=2|Race did not exist | — | — | style="background:silver;" |2 | style="background:#C9AE5D;"|3 | style="background:#ddf;" |5 | style="background:#ddf;" |10 | style="background:silver;" |2 | style="background:silver;" |2 | style="background:silver;" |2 | style="background:#C9AE5D;"|3 | style="color:#4d4d4d;" colspan=2 rowspan=2|Not held | 13 | 36 |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal | — | — | 14 | style="background:#ddf;" |4 | style="background:#ddf;" |7 | 37 | style="background:gold;" |1 | style="background:#ddf;" |7 | style="background:#C9AE5D;"|3 | style="background:gold;" |1 | 16 | 60 |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | Paris–Tours | 48 | 132 | 14 | 16 | style="background:gold;" |1 | style="background:#ddf;" |6 | 48 | 39 | style="background:#C9AE5D;"|3 | 77 | — | — | — | — | 41 | — | 58 |
=Major championships results timeline=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| ! scope="col" | 2007
! scope="col" | 2008 ! scope="col" | 2009 ! scope="col" | 2010 ! scope="col" | 2011 ! scope="col" | 2012 ! scope="col" | 2013 ! scope="col" | 2014 ! scope="col" | 2015 ! scope="col" | 2016 ! scope="col" | 2017 ! scope="col" | 2018 ! scope="col" | 2019 ! scope="col" | 2020 ! scope="col" | 2021 ! scope="col" | 2022 ! scope="col" | 2023 |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | File:Gold medal olympic.svg Olympic Games | style="color:#4d4d4d;" |NH |— | style="color:#4d4d4d;" colspan=3|Not held | 92 | style="color:#4d4d4d;" colspan=3|Not held | style="background:gold;" |1 | style="color:#4d4d4d;" colspan=4|Not held | DNF | style="color:#4d4d4d;" colspan=2|Not held |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | {{Cjersey|rainbow}} World Championships | 62 | 17 | 44 | style="background:#ddf;" |5 | 175 | 25 | 23 | style="background:#ddf;" |5 | 23 | style="background:#ddf;" |10 | style="background:#ddf;" |6 | 50 | style="background:#ddf;" |8 | 21 | — | — | — |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | {{Cjersey|europe}} European Championships | style="color:#4d4d4d;" colspan=9|Race did not exist | — | — | 25 | — | 27 | — | — | — |
| style="text-align:center;"
! scope="row" | {{Cjersey|belgium}} National Championships | 30 | style="background:#ddf;" |4 | style="background:#ddf;" |4 | style="background:#ddf;" |4 | 27 | 27 | style="background:#ddf;" |7 | style="background:#ddf;" |9 | style="background:#C9AE5D;"|3 | style="background:#C9AE5D;"|3 | 62 | 14 | 18 | 31 | 29 | 40 | 45 |
| class="wikitable"
|+ Legend |
| scope="row" | —
| Did not compete |
|---|
| scope="row" | DNF |
| scope="row" | NH
| Not held |
| scope="row" | IP
| In progress |
Honours and awards
- Crystal Bicycle Best Professional Cyclist: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017{{cite web |title=Boonen wint Kristallen Fiets |url=https://www.sport.be/nl/article.html?Article_ID=617757 |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114090822/https://www.sport.be/nl/article.html?Article_ID=617757 |url-status=dead }}
- Flandrien of the Year: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017{{cite web |title=Van Avermaet wint zesde Flandrien: "Het zou raar geweest zijn mocht ik deze trofee niet gewonnen hebben" |url=https://www.hln.be/wielrennen/van-avermaet-wint-zesde-flandrien-het-zou-raar-geweest-zijn-mocht-ik-deze-trofee-niet-gewonnen-hebben~ab275e2a/}}
- Vlaamse Reus: 2016{{cite web |title=Greg Van Avermaet wint Vlaamse Reus 2016 |url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20161202_02604499}}
- Belgian Sportsman of the Year: 2016{{cite web |title=Sportman van het Jaar Van Avermaet: "Dit is zeker de mooiste trofee" |url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20161217_02632205}}
- Honorary Citizen of Dendermonde: 2016{{Cite web |date=8 December 2016 |title=Greg Van Avermaet is ereburger van Dendermonde |url=https://www.tvoost.be/nieuws/greg-van-avermaet-is-ereburger-van-dendermonde-37938 |website=TV Oost}}
- VeloNews: Classics Rider of the Year: 2017{{cite web |title=VeloNews awards 2017: Van Avermaet is classics rider of the year |url=https://www.velonews.com/news/road/velonews-awards-2017-van-avermaet-classics-rider-year/}}
- Swiss Mendrisio d'Or: 2017
- CyclingRanking – Overall ranking (26th place){{cite web |title=Overall Ranking 1869-2022 |url=https://www.cyclingranking.com/riders/overall?highlight=2029&page=1 |publisher=Cycling Ranking }}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{official website|http://www.gregvanavermaet.be}} {{in lang|nl}}
- {{sports links}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions Road Cycling Men}}
{{UCI World Tour Winners}}
{{Paris–Roubaix winners}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions Belgium Men}}
{{Vuelta a España Points Classification}}
{{Crystal Bicycle}}
{{AG2R Citroën Team riders}}
{{Belgian Sportsperson of the Year}}
{{Vlaamse Reus}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Van Avermaet, Greg}}
Category:Belgian male cyclists
Category:Belgian Vuelta a España stage winners
Category:Olympic gold medalists in cycling
Category:Cyclists at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Category:Cyclists at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Category:Cyclists at the 2020 Summer Olympics
Category:Olympic gold medalists for Belgium
Category:Olympic cyclists for Belgium
Category:Sportspeople from Lokeren
Category:Belgian Tour de France stage winners
Category:Cyclists from East Flanders
Category:Medalists at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Category:UCI World Tour winners
Category:Belgian expatriate sportspeople in the United States