Greg Van Avermaat (AG2R Citroen Team) insisted that it was "fine" to compete in the full spring campaign without a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine, despite the latest rules introduced by the UCI and the French government.

The former Olympic champion was infected with COVID-19 in November and said it would count in place of a booster shot on his "passport" papers.

Juan Avermaet has drawn attention for his hesitancy to vaccinate, noting that his second vaccination last summer affected his performance and caused a late-season slump. When he suggested delaying his third vaccination until after the 2022 Classics campaign, some in the media branded him the "Novak Djokovic of cycling."

At a press conference on Tuesday before his season debut at Etoile de Besseges, Van Avermaert was clearly uncomfortable with all the attention directed at him.

"I don't know why people always ask me about vaccinations," he said. 'But it's ok. It's okay; I have a COVID passport. It's okay; I have a COVID passport. I have my vaccinations. I'm not worried."

The rules surrounding athletes' vaccination status have changed since Van Avermaert announced his intention to delay the third dose; the UCI has updated its own protocols and there appears to be no concern for Belgian athletes, but the French government has introduced its own new regulations.

Professional athletes wishing to compete in France will have to prove a complete vaccination procedure, including a third dose four months after the second dose, after February 15. This does not affect this week's Etoile de Besseges, but applies to Paris-Roubaix on April 17.

"I have my recovery certificate," Van Avermaet replied when asked about the new regulations. 'I have Roubaix covered, so it's not a problem.'

Under French government guidelines, it appears that proof of infection within the past six months counts as a valid "vaccine pass." Van Avermaet was vaccinated with COVID-19 in November, so he would fall within that time frame.

According to Sporza, in the Flemish section of the press conference he said: "It would be ridiculous if I had to get a booster shot right after infection. It's crazy beyond words to have to keep getting vaccinations when you haven't gotten sick."

Van Avermaert, however, will have to get a booster before the Tour de France, but has already indicated that he intends to get one once the classics are over in late April.

Asked about comparisons to tennis star Djokovic, who was deported from Australia last month before competing in the Australian Open, Van Avermaet denied being hurt or upset by the attention his vaccination status has received. [I'm vaccinated and I have COVID, so I don't understand it,'' he said. 'I don't know why they ask. Probably because I said my performance dropped after the vaccination."