Forfeited for Ghent-Wevelgem, which he won last year, and for the Tour of Flanders, Christophe Laporte was selected by his Visma-Lease a Bike team for Paris-Roubaix on Sunday. Suffering from stomach aches before Milan-San Remo where he had abandoned, he was subsequently handicapped by pain in the saddle, according to the Dutch medical staff, which had prevented him from participating in the Flemish classics campaign where he was a leader alongside Wout Van Aert.
If the Belgian, victim of a fall during A Travers la Flanders last week, is out of the rest of the classics, the return of the Frenchman brings a little smile within the Dutch team, particularly affected by the Jonas Vingegaard’s accident at the Tour du Pays Basque.
His role is an enigma
If Christophe Laporte did not participate in the reconnaissance of the cobbles with his entire team (Dylan van Baarle, Edoardo Affini, Per Strand Hagenes, Mick and Tim van Dijke as well as the replacement Julien Vermote), just like the American Matteo Jorgenson, however, was seen on part of the course.
The role of the Varois on Sunday remains an enigma after three weeks in competition and a preparation disrupted by his health concerns. He only got back on the bike last week. He finished last year in 10th place on the velodrome, despite a puncture which ruled him out of the final fight. He should be in better shape in ten days for the Amstel Gold Race, which he had also included in his program.
