For the first time in his career, Greg Van Avermaet has won the Kristallen Fiets which is awarded to the best Belgian rider in the past season. The BMC rider beat his teammate Philippe Gilbert and Tim Wellens in the vote. Van Avermaet succeeds Sven Nys on the winners list.

After winning the Flandrien award (a prize awarded by Het Nieuwsblad), the Kristiallen Fiets is the second award that indicates that Van Avermaet was the best rider last season.

The Kristallen Fiets is awarded by the Het Laatste Nieuwspaper. 108 people, including journalists, former prize winners and cycling celebrities, have been eligible to vote. Van Avermaet got 636 points, 166 more than Philippe Gilbert. Tim Wellens was third with 400 points.

Van Avermaet's season was characterized by great consistency but he always came up short in the big races. He was second in both the Omloop Het Nieusblad and the Tour of Flanders and was close to a stage win in the Tour de France on several occasions. In the final part of the season, he hit a winning streak when he won one of the hardest stages of the Eneco Tour, the GP Wallonie and the Grand Prix Impanis before he went on to finish 5th at the World Championships

Prime Minister Charles Michel awarded the trophy to Van Avermaet at the casino in Knokke-Heist.

"I did not expect this," Van Avermaet told Sporza. "I thought that Philippe Gilbert would have taken the win. Winning such a trophy - even for the first time - is special. Belgium is a real cycling country. If you can win such a prize against so many professionals, it is definitely something.

"I am very happy with this. This trophy is already an appreciation of my fighting spirit and my consistent results. This motivates me to take aim at the top in 2015. In any case, I will try my best to win one of the big classics. That's my big goal."

After three victories in the Flandrien Trophy, Van Avermaet now also has the Kristallen Fiets on his palmares.

"There are two major sports newspapers in Flanders. If you are the best for each of them, it obviously makes you very pleased.

"I think I got this Kristallen Fiets mainly because of my consistency. All year I rode at a high level but my riding style may also have been decisive. I always try to ride offensively. Without victories, I would not have been able to win this trophy. It was my best year ever."

With a fifth win, Philippe Gilbert could have equalled Johan Museeuw but he had to settle for second place. 

"Of course it is always unfortunate not to win, but I am rather second in this voting than in a big cycling classic.

"The difference with Van Avermaet was very small, but I am satisfied that the trophy will remain in the team. It is his first victory and probably not the last. I won't celebrate more tonight. I have just had a long transfer."

Many were surprised by Van Avermaet's win but for Gilbert who won the Amstel Gold Race, it was to be expected.

"He rode the Tour de France and was increasingly active in Belgium. That was probably decisive in the choice of the journalists

"Everyone expects me to perform as in 2011. If I do not, I have had a bad season. That was not the case this year. Also next season, I want to stand out. In December I will sit together with the team and make the schedule."

Dylan Teuns who won the queen stage of the Tour de l'Avenir, was voted best young rider. Walter Planckaert from Topsport Vlaanderen won the prize for best team manager and Iljo Keisse was named best domestique of the 2014 season.

"I was satisfied with my nomination, but when you see my winning margin, this trophy will get a special place in mu home," Plankaert said. "It is the icing of the cake after a great season."

"I am relieved and happy with this victory," Teuns said. "I did not expect it, but I'm obviously very happy. In the coming years, I mainly want to show me but in the future I will go for wins in the pro peloton."

Kristallen Fiets:

Greg Van Avermaet: 636 points
Philippe Gilbert: 470
Tim Wellens: 400
Sep Vanmarcke: 212
Sven Nys: 196

Best young rider:

Dylan Teuns: 466
Wout van Aert: 456
Louis Vervaeke: 360

Best team manager:

Walter Planckaert: 550
Patrick Lefevere: 344
Valerio Piva: 190

Best domestique:

Iljo Keisse: 1.328
Jens Keukeleire: 979
Pieter Serry: 957