"I look back on those 17 years with great pleasure" - Greg van Avermaet reflects on legendary career after racing final race

Greg van Avermaet is a professional cyclist no more. The Belgian took to the startline for the final time in his career last Sunday at Paris-Tours, finishing in 58th position.

"It was a very difficult race today. Unfortunately, I fell flat again at a very bad time," the 38-year-old said in a post-race interview with Sporza. "That was not the first time in this race. It was the third time in as many participations. That bad luck of course puts an end to a possible good result."

Despite the somewhat lacklustre finally to his career, van Avermaet can nonetheless look back on his career with incredible pride. "I'm satisfied with what I got out of my career," he reflects. 

An Olympic road race winner in 2016, a victor at Paris-Roubaix, Gent Wevelgem, Tirreno-Adriatico, two Omloop het Nieuwsblads and a pair of Tour de France stages, van Avermaet had many highs during his career. "I have won more in all that time than I dared to hope. I look back on those 17 years with great pleasure. I am very proud of what I have achieved."