Leafs fans be damned: Greg Van Avermaet is a Montreal Canadien now

There were some amazing moments during Sunday’s Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, including a tribute to Greg van Avermaet, who is retiring after 17 years as a pro. The Belgian has had an exceptional career, including winning the gold medal at the 2016 Olympics, winning Paris-Roubaix and Tirreno-Adriatico, as well as four stages at the Tour de France. He’s also had a good run at the WorldTour races in Quebec, with nine podiums and two wins.

Adam Yates wins wet Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal

To celebrate his storied career, organizers presented him with a Montreal Canadiens jersey, with his name and the number 23 on the back. “Grands Prix legend Greg van Avermaet could well be moving on to the Montreal Canadiens next season,” the caption read. “Congrats on a beautiful career and thank you for all you’ve done for the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, Greg.”

Although the 38-year-old didn’t manage to replicate some of his past results in la belle province, he still went out as a consummate professional. He would end up 60th, the last rider to finish. The
AG2R Citroën rider could have packed it in, but instead he stuck with it and rolled across the line for the last time in his career.

(As far as the Toronto Maple Leafs? The good news is this is for sure our year. I know I said this last year, and the year before, and the year before, and 2013, and 2004, and 1993, but I have a good feeling that the buds can go all the way…to the third round.)

Check out the send-off to one of the greats in the pro peloton below.