BMC Racing Team have today announced that they have been notified of an investigation into Belgian rider Greg Van Avermaet. The Belgian Cycling Federation, Koninklijke Belgische Wielrijdersbond, has been looking at the affairs of Dr. Chris Mertens, and has requested that Van Avermaet appear before them on yje 13th of March as part of that investigation.
Mertens is alleged to have worked with a number of Belgian athletes by performing banned blood transfusions with ozone therapy. Van Avermaet has been treated by Dr. Mertens in the past, but until this point nothing had implicated him in this case.
A BMC press release stated: "The Team has been aware of the investigation of Dr. Mertens from various stories published in the press, but until Friday, February 27, had not confirmed that one of the Team's riders would be required to appear.
"An ongoing internal investigation is being conducted by the Team, and at the present time, no information has been obtained that indicates rules have been violated. The Team is aware that Van Avermaet was treated by Dr. Mertens, but is unaware of any treatments that would be in violation of any rules. Based on the information available to the Team at the present time, no decision has been made to remove Van Avermaet from active status.
"The Team will continue its investigation and will evaluate new information at such time as it becomes available. Out of respect for Van Avermaet, the Team will not comment further on the matter at the present time."
The timing of this news is less than ideal for Van Avermaet, with the one-day specialist set to open the classics season with the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad today, and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne tomorrow.