Greg Van Avermaet has won the Vlaamse Reus 2016, the trophy which the Flemish Association of Sports Journalists (VBS) awards to the best Flemish athlete of the past year.

The Olympic champion gathered 999 points and so took a comfortable win ahead of swimmer Pieter Timmers (424 points) and track and field athlete Thomas Van der Plaetsen (139). Wheelchair athlete Peter Genyn (86) and bike rider Jolien D'Hoore (76) rounded out the top five.

It was the 25th time that the VBS presented the Vlaamse Reus. The VBS members made the choice from a shortlist of candidates which was made in advance by a committee. 210 Flemish sports journalists and employees had a say in the decision about who would follow wheelchair athlete Marieke Vervoort in the list of winners.

Van Avermaet will receive the trophy, a unique sculpture made by William Vermandere, on Friday in the Ghent Ghelamco Arena.

Result:
1. Greg Van Avermaet 999 points 
2. Pieter Timmers 424 
3. Thomas Van der Plaetsen 139 
4. Peter Genyn 86 
5. Jolien D'Hoore 76 
6. Wout Van Aert 70 
7. Dirk Van Tichelt 57 
8. Thomas Pieters 39