VIDEO: Greg Van Avermaet takes E3 Harelbeke

Greg Van Avermaet took his second victory of the season in E3 Harelbeke

Greg Van Avermaet has won the E3 Harelbeke. The rider of BMC was the fastest in the three-men final sprint and beat Philippe Gilbert and Oliver Naesen.

The E3 Harelbeke, 206.2 kilometers long, is one of the cobbled classics of the north of Belgium and it's considered the prelude to the Tour of Flanders.

Early on tthere was a breakaway of six riders. Alexis Gougeard (AG2R-La Mondiale), Laurens De Vreese (Astana), David Per (Bahrain-Merida), Gijs Van Hoecke (Lotto NL-Jumbo), and Taco Van der Hoorn (Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij) and their gap grew to 4 minutes.

Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), Oliver Naesen (AG2R-LaMondiale), Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors) and Sep Vanmarcke (Cannondale-Drapac) attacked and caught the lead group.

With 5 kilometers to go only Van Avermaet, Gilbert and Naesen remained.

Behind them Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) was involved in a crash and abandoned.

The three riders arrived together and the final sprint was won by Van Avermaet, ahead of breakaway companions Gilbert second, and Naesen third. 

“It’s really nice to win a classic that matters, and for me it’s the first time in E3,” said Van Avermaet. “It gives me all the confidence for Flanders.”

2017 E3 Harelbeke Top 10 Results

1 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team 4:48:17 
2 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Quick-Step Floors   
3 Oliver Naesen (Bel) AG2R La Mondiale   
4 Luke Durbridge (Aus) Orica-Scott 0:00:40 
5 Lukas Pöstlberger (Aut) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:41 
6 Michael Valgren Andersen (Den) Astana Pro Team 0:00:52 
7 Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) Bahrain-Merida   
8 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick-Step Floors   
9 Dylan Van Baarle (Ned) Cannondale-Drapac   
10 Alberto Bettiol (Ita) Cannondale-Drapac

VIDEO: Greg Van Avermaet takes E3 Harelbeke