BMC stands by Van Avermaet despite looming doping ban

Greg Van Avermaet will not be suspended by his team after the Belgian federation requested a two-year doping ban against the classics specialist, BMC Racing said on Thursday.

BMC's Greg Van Avermaet at the 2015 Paris-Roubaix. (Sirotti)

"The BMC Racing Team is aware of today's hearing by the Belgian Cycling Federation, Koninklijke Belgische Wielrijdersbond, in which Greg Van Avermaet appeared in relation to the investigation of Dr. Chris Mertens," BMC said in a statement.

Despite the threat, Van Avermaet has been included in the BMC team lineup at Sunday's Amstel Gold Race along with defending champion Philippe Gilbert, Marcus Burghardt, Damiano Caruso, Silvan Dillier, Ben Hermans, Samuel Sánchez and Dylan Teuns.

"Based on information currently available to the BMC Racing Team, Van Avermaet will not be withheld from competition."

Earlier on Thursday the Belgian news agency Belga reported that Jaak Fransen, the Belgian federation's prosecutor, requested a two-year suspension against Van Avermaet who is suspected of having doped in 2012 with the help of Mertens.

Van Avermaet has admitted that he worked with Mertens but insisted he has not done anything wrong. He finished third in two of the biggest one-day races of the season, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, earlier this month.

A decision will be made by the Belgian federation's disciplinary committee on May 7.