Greg Van Avermaet is eager to defend his 2017 victory at Paris-Roubaix on Sunday, even though as he admits, “things haven’t fallen into place yet” this season. Van Avermaet’s win last year was his first Monument victory, as well as the first for the team. “It is a really special feeling to be lining up as the defending champion at Paris-Roubaix. I’ve felt good and confident in my shape the whole Classics season but things haven’t fallen into place yet,” he said when BMC named its final line-up for Sunday.ADVERTISEMENT “Paris-Roubaix is completely different to the Belgian classics. As much as you need the legs, you need some luck, to stay safe and avoid punctures. Last year I had some bad luck but I managed to completely change my situation.” This year Van Avermaet has one individual win, stage 3 of the Tour of Oman, where he wore the leader’s jersey for two stages. More recently he has finished third in E3 Harelbeke, eighth in Dwars door Vlaanderen and fifth at the Tour of Flanders. “I was really happy with the team at the Tour of Flanders and we will give it everything we have on Sunday to defend my title. It was amazing last year because I wasn’t expecting to win but I did it. I’m capable of winning again so we will see how far I come.”
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com.read full article
