Van Avermaet to go on racing despite doping ban request

BMC Racing team rider Greg Van Avermaet of Belgium crosses the finish line to placed sixth at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad cycling race in Ghent February 28, 2015. REUTERS/Eric Vidal

PARIS (Reuters) - 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.

"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.