The season that finally saw him turn Classics prowess into springtime victories is nearing its conclusion, but BMC Racing's Greg Van Avermaet still has a few items on his to-do list for 2017.
First up? Finally reaching the top step on the podium at Friday's GP Québec, where he's finished as runner-up twice but never won. Two days later he'll look to defend his title at the GP Montréal. Both WorldTour races are targets for the Belgian, who always comes to Canada looking to win, but both are also critical stepping stones for the big item still on his docket: winning a gold medal at the world championships in Bergen for Belgium. With just over two weeks to go, Van Avermaet says that by now, he should be there or thereabouts in terms of form.
"I need confirmation now from these two races of how I feel and what I have to do, but I'm always preparing well for these kind of races, always highly motivated. It's the last build-up to the Worlds, so the shape should be there," he told Cyclingnews at the team hotel in Québec ahead of Friday's race.
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"It would be nice to take a win here and then you can go to Worlds with a good head. I'll try to do this, but I think I'm there already with the good shape."
The Belgian national squad was announced on Tuesday, relatively early compared to years past, with Van Avermaet set to share leadership with Philippe Gilbert. Often, the Québec and Montréal races – along with the final days of the Vuelta a España – have been the last opportunities for Worlds hopefuls to prove themselves to the selectors, but the Belgian federation made the final decision ahead of the curve this time around. Van Avermaet sees it as a good thing.
"It's always good to have the list of riders already on paper because then they can prepare and be ready for Worlds. Making the selection, in Belgium that's a victory for some riders to be on the team. That gives extra motivation to be ready and to support riders like me and Phil, to ride for us," he said. "I think we have a really good squad with really strong riders, and it's a good parcours for us, so I think we will maybe also be one the favourites."
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