In years past, this E3 Harelbeke might have been the kind of race where Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) did too much too soon, or too little too late, or otherwise contrived to squander a winning hand. Over the past 18 months or so, however, Van Avermaet 2.0 has cast off a supposed fear of events - his 2011 Paris-Tours triumph always seemed to be overlooked, as though to fit with the prevailing narrative - and steadily begun compiling a palmarès commensurate with his talent. The Olympic champion came through this dress rehearsal for the Tour of Flanders without making any significant errors, and then confidently dispatched Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step) and Oliver Naesen (AG2R La Mondiale) in the three-up sprint to take his second cobbled Classic victory of the year after Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in February.ADVERTISEMENT `It`s not a Monument, that`s for sure, but it`s a nice win,` Van Avermaet said afterwards, mindful that his Spring campaign will be judged on how he fares at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix over the next two weekends. `I know how hard it is to win here. I was only on the podium here once, in 2008, so that says enough. Every year I come back with high expectations, and every year these kinds of races are really hard. I`m happy I`ve got two in my pocket. At the beginning of the season I said that Flanders is my biggest goal, and that still has to happen. But it will be nice to start Flanders with two nice victories already on my home soil.` The dynamics of the winning break were intriguing, as Van Avermaert had a long-time friend and a one-time foe for company in the finale. He went clear from the decisive selection with his training partner Naesen and his former teammmate Gilbert on the Oude Kwaremont, with almost 40 kilometres still to race. Sagan and the Ronde
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