2023 was a boom year for Christophe Laporte with the European title and victory in Dwars door Vlaanderen and Ghent-Wevelgem. But the Frenchman from Visma-Lease a Bike still regrets the many criticisms after his victory in Wevelgem. “In Flanders they always criticize everything.”
Christophe Laporte has gradually earned a membership card for the club of the best riders in the world.
2023 was a successful year, but the aftermath of his victory in Ghent-Wevelgem is still sticking in his ribs. His teammate Wout van Aert was then bombarded with criticism in the Flemish media for giving the victory as a gift to the Frenchman.
“It was an emotional victory,” Laporte reflects. “But the criticism afterwards was annoying.”
“The media then talked more about it (Van Aert’s gift) than about the song that Wout and I performed together.”
In Flanders they always criticize everything.
Christophe Laporte
Laporte still regrets the fuss. “When the two of us drove to the finish in E3 in 2022 and Wout won, there was no critical voice anywhere. But after Gent-Wevelgem there was a lot of criticism.”
“It was Wout’s choice that I was allowed to cross the line first in Wevelgem and I was very happy with that. But in Flanders they always criticize everything.”
Winning the monument is the next step
Has anything changed in Laporte’s status in the classics after the 2023 farming year?
“I still consider myself an outsider,” he says modestly.
“I am still one step below Wout and Mathieu. They have a great honors list and are the favorites in every race where they start.”
“I am part of the group of riders among them,” says Laporte, who believes in his own chances of winning. “It is not always the strongest who wins the race, that is what makes cycling so beautiful.”
If Laporte can dream of a victory photo, in which classic would it be? “Paris-Roubaix,” the Frenchman answers firmly.
“I have already won a Tour stage and classics. The next step is a
monument. That is the most difficult goal to achieve, but I
go for it.”
If Laporte wants to win Paris-Roubaix, he might run into Yves Lampaert.
About the Tour team and the green jersey
In the summer, Laporte, unlike Van Aert, will be able to be admired again in the Tour.
Has the Tour team around two-time winner Jonas Vingegaard weakened compared to previous years?
“Of course, with Wout, one of the best riders in the world will be missing from our Tour team,” Laporte points out.
“With Nathan (Van Hooydonck, who was forced to stop racing) we lose one of the best teammates in the world.”
“But I am convinced that we still have a Tour team that is very strong in all areas. We will do everything we can to win the Tour again.”
I’d rather win a classic than the green jersey in the Tour.
Christophe Laporte
Does Laporte secretly dream of the green jersey due to Van Aert’s absence?
“In a team like Visma-Lease a Bike it is difficult to have that green jersey in mind. Wout was able to do that because he is one of the great leaders of this team.”
“For me, the green jersey is not a goal to win, I would rather win a classic.”
program Christophe Laporte in the classics 24/02 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 25/02 Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne 04/03 Strade Bianche 18/03 Milan-Sanremo 22/03 E3 Saxo Classic 24/03 Ghent-Wevelgem 27/03 Across Flanders 31 /03 Tour of Flanders 07/04 Paris-Roubaix
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2023-12-26 10:01:00
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