Before the start of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Greg Van Avermaet responded to the claims that he is under official investigation for doping. " I am innocent. I am a clean rider. I am glad that BMC have let me start the Omloop. I am convinced that everything will be okay," he told Het Nieuwsblad.

Two days ago, Van Avermaet was told that he should appear before the Cycling Federation on Friday, March 13. The federal prosecutor suspects that he has received banned injections from the famous ozone doctor Chris Mertens. This is apparent from information that has emerge from an investigation by the Leuven court that has investigated the case for three years.

Before the start of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Van Avermaet denied any kind of doping. "Since I have to appear before the federal prosecutor on March 13, I knew this could happen. But I'm innocent. I'm clean and pure. I have not done anything wrong so I'm not worried. Yes, I have been visiting Doctor Mertens but I have not used infusions. It is absurd that I have to justify myself but that is the reality in modern cycling. I'm glad my team let me start. I am convinced that everything will be okay. Last night I slept well, but this is obviously not an ideal preparation. This is not an extra incentive for me to ride extra hard today."

"These are serious allegations that have been written in Het Nieuwsblad," Alan Peiper, team manager at BMC, said. "It is difficult to comment on the affair. The investigation is ongoing. But Greg will certainly be at the start of the Omloop. I see no reason to keep him off the bike. These are obviously not ideal conditions to start as favorite in the Belgian opening classic."