For Greg Van Avermaet, 2014 was a fantastic year. The BMC rider was riding at the front from March to October and for this he won the prize as Flandrien of the year yesterday. "With a win in a classic, the year would have been perfect," he said.

"2014 was my best year ever. It is extra special to be rewarded with a trophy," Greg Van Avermaet told Sporza.

This year Van Avermaet was the most consistent of all Belgians and also raced more kilometers than his compatriots. For the first time in two years he rode the Tour. Rest seemed not to be on his agenda.

"Maybe I should sometimes race a bit less but next year I want to do the Tour again. However, I need to see the course. The Tour gives a lot of publicity. As a rider you want to be there.

"The only thing I can possibly do differently next year is to take some rest after the spring. Then I can be fresher for the Tour and the autumn."

At 29, Van Avermaet is still waiting for a victory in a big classic. 

"To get that, I may have to be a bit stronger and a bit smarter. But in the meantime I have reached the perfect age. Not everyone can becone world champion at 25 years of age like Tom Boonen.

"I've got six or seven years to win a classic and I don't panic yet. But with a victory in a classic this year had been really perfect."