"I dream of winning the Tour of Flanders" - Greg van Avermaet dismisses retirement, confirms high ambitions into 2023

In 2021 Greg van Avermaet rode a strong spring campaign whilst no longer in the headlines, however 2022 was a difficult year for the Belgian, who is looking to bounce back for next season as he leads AG2R Citröen Team into an important season.

“I did not accept my exclusion from the Tour very much, but I understood it. There are things in life that are not under your control. But I want to be there in 2023," the former Olympic champion told Cyclism'Actu. With focus around Ben O'Connor - who was forced to abandon the race - van Avermaet settled with no Grand Tours this season, instead focusing on the one-day races and smaller stage-races.

He started his season strongly with a third place at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, however he couldn't match that later in the spring, not once succeeding to crack the Top10 in the main cobbled classics and Amstel Gold Race where he frequently puts his focus.

“It certainly won't be easy to get results," he admits. "A few years ago I think I was the best for those races, but now it's different. I'm still motivated to get good results and I think I'm still capable of doing it. Maybe not to win a Monument, but for a top-5, which would be good”.

However despite the hardships, there is little change in the 37-year old's ambitions: “I dream of winning the Tour of Flanders. I have been on the podium many times, it is my favorite race, but I have never won it. I want to try again, I think I still have 1-2 tries. I will give everything to do it, even if it is not easy."

As he enters a late phase in his career and his last contract year at the French team, talks of retirement emerged. However, he is quick to shrug those off. "2023 will not be my last season, I don't want to stop, although you can never know, since I currently have no contract for 2024," he concluded.