23 October 2019
Greg Van Avermaet has wrapped up the 2019 season as the leader of the UCI One Day Race World Ranking, a testament to the Belgian’s consistency throughout the season.
Van Avermaet accumulated 2350 points at 15 races throughout the season, which included his victory at Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal and another four podium results at WorldTour one-day races.
CCC Team General Manager Jim Ochowicz acknowledged the importance of Van Avermaet’s result in the inaugural year of the ranking.
“Greg Van Avermaet is one of the best and most consistent Classics riders in the world and finishing the season at the top of the UCI One Day Race World Ranking proves that. Greg is a fighter and every time he lines up at the start line, he’s lining up to fight until the finish line. Greg may not have secured a big win in the Spring Classics this year but he was up there in almost every race and his convincing lead in this ranking over some riders who won multiple one-day races is an acknowledgement of this,” Ochowicz said.
“Greg’s win in Montreal was an important one for Greg, the team, and our sponsors, but it’s easy to forget a rider’s result if they are not standing on the top step. Greg delivered some great performances with second place at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian, and third place at E3 BinckBank Classic and Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec.”
Van Avermaet finished the season 276 points ahead of Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) and 503 points ahead of Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick-Step).
“I’ve always said that I am not a rider who wins twenty races a year but I am always up there in every race and hopefully, I can get a few really nice wins throughout the year. I missed a big win during the Classics this year which was disappointing but these are really hard races to win and it’s not enough to just have the legs, you also need everything to go right and a bit of luck. I think if I had won one of the Classics, my season would look very different. That’s why I was so happy to win in Montreal. After coming close to a big win throughout the year, it was a good reminder that I’m still capable of winning,” Van Avermaet explained.
“I’m happy to finish the season at the top of the UCI One Day Race World Ranking. I think it shows what kind of rider I am and my ability to contest most of the one-day races in the calendar. I’m motivated to continue like this in 2020 and convert some of those podium places into victories.”
