Greg Van Avermaet received an unexpected gift before the start of the Montreal Cycling Grand Prix: a Canadian jersey with the number 23.

An emblematic figure of the Canadian classics with his two victories on Mount Royal (2016 and 2019) and his nine podiums in total, the Belgian from AG2R Citroën is competing in his last race outside of Europe, Sunday afternoon.

Van Avermaet does not know the Habs, who offered him this surprise, but he understood the importance of the jersey he agreed to wear on the stage during the presentation of the riders.

“I don’t know the team, but I can imagine it’s the Montreal hockey team,” reacted the 2016 Olympic champion, interviewed by La Presse a few seconds later.

“It’s cool to have this jersey. It’s quite original. In Belgium, they give flowers and sweets. It’s nice to have something else. I’m quite proud to see my name on the back. I’ll probably be able to wear it around the house. »

Because the winner of Paris-Roubaix in 2017 doesn’t just pedal. He has already been a good goalkeeper in soccer. And he also knows how to skate.

“I love it,” he revealed, seemingly impervious to the pouring rain that fell on him minutes before departure.

“Our winters aren’t that cold, but this winter I was on the ice. I can skate, but hockey is maybe something else… So I like skating in the square, especially in nature. »

Belgium has some inland ice, but Van Avermaet prefers to run on the ponds near the Scheldt River in his town of Berlaar, Flanders.

“It froze this year and three years ago too. It’s not possible every year, but it’s a cool sport to play. »

At 38, Van Avermaet would obviously not feature in the Canadian’s youth shift…