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Groundhog day for Van Avermaet at USA Pro Challenge

published 22 August 2013

BMC rider left rueing another near miss

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Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) salutes as he takes the opening stage of the 2013 Tour of Utah(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

Belgium's Philippe Gilbert and Greg Van Avermaet don't seem to mind the weather conditions.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Julien Simon (Saur-Sojasun) wins the Grand Prix de Wallonie ahead of Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) and Björn Leukemans (Vacansoleil-DCM)(Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)

BMC's Marcus Burghardt leads teammate Greg Van Avermaet up the Paterberg.(Image credit: Sirotti)

Martin Elmiger (AG2R - La Mondiale) leads Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing)(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Laurent Pinchon beats Greg Van Avermaet for fifth(Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)

Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge) wins Stage 2(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

In what appears to be groundhog day for cycling fans in America, Peter Sagan has taken another sprint victory at a UCI stage race, this time racking up his second stage out of three so far this week at the USA Pro Challenge.

Sagan wins opening stage at the USA Pro Challenge

Sagan speeds to stage 3 win in Steamboat Springs

For BMC’s Greg Van Avermaet, it’s also a case of déjà-vu. Near misses have been common for the 28-year-old Belgian in the last couple of weeks. He finished second three times in a row at the Tour of Utah a fortnight ago and now he has a second and a fourth to his name thus far in Colorado.

For BMC’s lead sprinter, however, it’s nothing to be too concerned about. It’s just a matter of getting the timing right and the rest will come.

"I couldn't wait any longer and went too early – with 250 (metres) to go – so then it's normal that some guys come over you," he said. "I'm a little bit disappointed. I will have to wait a little bit longer, then I'll maybe get closer. But it was good to be up there again.

"We tried to be there in the end," added Van Avermaet. "It was good that we tried. It wasn't perfect, but it's getting better and better. "

BMC assistant director Jackson Stewart was pleased with the way the race unfolded, claiming that the small five man break was just what they were looking for. The small group allowed them to sit back and conserve whilst the yellow jersey team of Garmin Sharp defended Lachlan Morton's lead.

"I think some teams were hoping that we would defend a little bit, but we didn't have anything concrete to defend yet," he said. "It was a perfect day. That small group went and the other teams controlled it and we just had to stay out of trouble."