Greg Van Avermaet has been cleared of all doping charges following the hearing by the disciplinary committee of the Belgian Cycling Federation. The BMC Racing rider was accused of using banned performance enhancing substances after links with Doctor Mertens had been revealed, but the committee decided that there was „no evidence of breaches of the doping legislation.”

Van Avermaet's connection with Dr Mertens has been revealed on the eve of season's first Flemish classic – Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, but the Belgian remained confident about his innocence. So did his team, as they allowed him to continue racing in their outfit until the decisive hearing has been held on May 7.

If found quilty, the Belgian rider would have to serve a 2-year ban and pay a fine of 265,000 euros.

“I was a patient with Doctor Mertens. I’m going to explain myself to the federation, why I was there. I don’t have anything to blame myself for. I’m going to give my explanation and then all will be behind me. I didn’t do anything wrong. I think that I’m a clean rider. Nothing has happened for which I should feel guilty. It’s absurd that I always have to provide accountability,” Van Avermaet said, according  to Cyclingnews.