Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet to start season in Valencia
Jan 27 2017 08:21 pm CET
SUBSCRIBE TO RSS FEEDSReigning Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet of BMC Racing Team will start his 2017 season in the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana in Spain.
In a press release, BMC announced that it aims to earn stage wins in the 2.1 category race while at the same time using the race for Van Avermaet to test his shape ahead of the spring season.
"We are going to the race targeting stage wins, starting with the opening team time trial and from there we will take the race day by day," said Sports Director Valerio Piva.
"We have a diverse team including riders such as Van Avermaet, who is already looking in great shape, as well as Ben Hermans and Nicolas Roche, who are both capable of being competitive on the General Classification when we reach the crucial, steeper stages of the race."
For Van Avermaet the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana will be a perfect opportunity to start his build-up to the spring classics.
"Last year was a big year for me, so I am excited to get the 2017 season underway," the Belgian said.
"I didn't have the perfect winter with my injury, but I feel ready and now is the point where I want to start racing and improve my fitness going into the Classics, which are important to me this year. This race is new for me, but we know the roads, so I am feeling relaxed and ready to try my luck and go for the stage victory where possible."
BMC's full team for the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana:
Tom Bohli (SUI)
Alessandro De Marchi (ITA)
Ben Hermans (BEL)
Stefan Küng (SUI)
Manuel Quinziato (ITA)
Nicolas Roche (IRL)
Michael Schär (SUI)
Greg Van Avermaet (BEL)
