"Christophe still has a chance to do a good GC" - Positive start to Laporte and Visma at 2024 Tour de Luxembourg

Racing for the first time since losing the European champion's jersey, Christophe Laporte impressed on a tough start to the opening stage of the 2024 Tour de Luxembourg, finishing second in an uphill sprint to Mathieu van der Poel.

“We are happy about today,” assessed Team Visma | Lease a Bike's team manager Maarten Wynants in a post-stage 1 reflection the team's official website. “The intention was to sprint with Laporte, and we succeeded. A dangerous leading group got the space, but with Tosh Van der Sande regularly in the lead, we were able to close the gap. Unfortunately, Christophe then faced a strong Mathieu van der Poel in the sprint.”

More than just for Laporte however, it was a strong team performance from Team Visma | Lease a Bike on the opening stage. “With three riders in the top ten, we have a good perspective for the general classification,” Wynants continued. "Bart Lemmen and Wilco Kelderman already rode strongly today despite being at the start in Canada last weekend. With the time trial and difficult stages still to come, things are looking good. Also, Christophe still has a chance to do a good GC.”

One of those mentioned there, Lemmen, also shared his thoughts to the team post-stage. “Somehow I expected to have good legs, but it's nice that I can show it in a strong field," he evaluates. "We now have three riders well placed in the general classification, and there are still some nice stages coming up where there are opportunities.”