Greg Van Avermaat (CCC Team) will resume his 2020 season on Saturday at Strade Bianche.

The 35-year-old Belgian got his 2020 season off to a solid start, finishing 20th overall at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana in February and 13th overall at the Volta ao Algarve later that month. He then completed two one-day races in Belgium, the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the Coone Brussel Coone, finishing 13th and 26th, respectively.

"Strade Bianche is one of my favorite races, so it's special that this is my first race back. I have always raced well and I hope to do the same this time." [After the training camp in Livigno (Lombardy, Italy), I feel I'm right where I need to be. Of course, things will be a little different than usual and the heat will be a big factor, so I think I'm ready for that." [I'm excited about the Gran Trittico Lombardo (August 3). It's interesting to discover new races and I think it suits me. I can't wait to race again so I can enjoy every moment," Van Avermaat said. [CCC team sport director Fabio Baldato added, "Greg is the leader of Strade Bianche and has finished in the top 10 seven times in the past.

"Strade Bianche is a tough race on the normal race calendar, but I think the heat and the fact that there hasn't been a race for months this year has been a big shock.

"It's hard to predict what will happen in what will be the first race back for all the racers, but we go into the race confident. Greg and the Classic team just finished a block at altitude and are in good shape. Ultimately, I am happy and grateful to be back racing," Baldart said.

CCC team for the 2020 Strade Bianche: Alessandro de Marchi, Simon Geschke, Jonas Koch, Michael Scheer, Greg Van Avermaat, Gace Van Hecke, Nathan Van Hooydonk