Greg Van Avermaet in search of his first win of the season at the Paris-Tours
After having a disappointing season, Greg Van Avermaet of Team BMC rode the Giro di Lombardia hoping to find the top podium position.
However, the cyclist’s lack of form and bad luck continued at the Italian race, as he caught a cold at the race which also cost him the Binche-Tournai-Binche 2012.
The 27-year-old had some near misses in the season and came close to taste his first victory of the season but remained unsuccessful.
He finished second at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec and also at the Grand Prix de Wallonie along with a fourth place finish at the Tour of Flanders.
Greg occupied the fifth spot during the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Strade Bianche and the Brabantse Pijl in the first half of the season and still awaits his first overall victory of the 2012 season.
The Belgian has now diverted his attention towards the Paris-Tours and hopes to recover in time to participate at the coming race scheduled on October 7th, 2012.
"I'm recovering well from my sickness," Van Avermaet said.
"I went out Wednesday for a few hours and felt much better than I did Monday and Tuesday. But I still don't have the same power in my legs yet".
He will be a part of strong Team BMC line-up at the coming race and Team Sports Director Rik Verbrugghe believes that his team has a great chance of winning the event because the parcours ideally suits Avermaet and Alessandro Ballan’s capabilities.
"We'll have a real offensive team with Alessandro and Greg, who can both do something good in the final," Rik cited.
He further added, "And if it comes down to a real field sprint, we have Adam [Blythe]".
Team BMC is enjoying a good season with its seventh position after the UCI World Tour Teams rankings with a total number of 917 points to its credit.
Cadel Evans (182 points), Alessandro Ballan (172 points), Tejay Van Garderen (160 points), Greg Avermaet (121) and Philippe Gilbert (112) made the major contributions to help the team with its UCI rankings.
The American team is now hopeful to make the full use of the opportunity and secure the upcoming race.
The team has announced its final squad for the event and Avermaet will be accompanied by Alessandro Ballan, Adam Blythe, Brent Bookwalter, Yannick Eijssen, Manuel Quinziato, Michael Schär and Larry Warbasse at the race.
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