Unlike some of his colleagues, Greg Van Avermaat will be off the bike for a week due to a knee injury sustained during a coronavirus blockade, even though he is able to ride outdoors.

While athletes in France and Spain are confined to their homes and not allowed to exercise outdoors, Greg from the CCC team continues to ride almost daily in Belgium, keeping his mind and body fit.

With the race currently suspended, he does steady rides rather than targeted training to maintain his fitness.

However, mountain biking appears to be the cause of his new knee injury.

"I think it's because I was in the wrong position on the mountain bike," he said.

"This injury is an overload of the tendon above the knee. This injury is an overload of the tendon above the knee. In a normal racing season on a racing bike, I suffer nothing.

Van Avermaert will rest for a week and start riding again after the tendon has recovered. He added that even if he were allowed to see a physical therapist, he does not intend to see one.

"I have a fear of contamination, so I want as little contact with people as possible.

"I know a few people who have contracted the virus in this area and they were in pretty bad shape with no underlying health issues. In any case, we riders are always on the lookout for viruses and bacteria."

Juan Avermart recently won the "lockdown" edition of the Tour of Flanders, which took place virtually at home training. This season, he will compete in the Tour de France in late August and September, followed by the Classics in the fall.