“I still can't believe it" - Christophe Laporte dedicates 'crazy' European Championships win to Nathan Van Hooydonck
CyclingSunday, 24 September 2023 at 17:25
After taking a thrilling victory in the men's elite road race at the European Championships, an emotional Christophe Laporte spoke of his disbelief and dedicated his victory to Nathan Van Hooydonck.
“I still can't believe it. It was a really crazy final," said the Frenchman in his post-race interview having narrowly managed to hold off a late charge from Wout van Aert, Olav Kooij and Arnaud De Lie to take one of the biggest wins of his career.
After attacking solo with 12km to go, Laporte was made to work incredibly hard in the finale to keep that lead, after an incredible leadout from De Lie brought van Aert back into contention. “I felt good along the way, but I knew it would be difficult to win in the sprint against Wout van Aert and Arnaud De Lie. So I tried it with an attack and it worked," Laporte recapped. "I sensed the right moment."
“It's really crazy to win this jersey," he concludes emotionally. "I dedicate this victory to my family, but certainly also to Nathan Van Hooydonck. I am very happy."
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- Ah, so I finally lost out on some info by not being on X, thanks for relaying:-)Mistermaumau30-01-2026
- I can relate but don’t think it’s such a big issue, here we have 10 teams within a minute of each other. Like every other day except the ITT, strong riders have to count on a team just in case, that collaboration/organisation/strategy is best tested during a TTT where there is no-one else to take advantage of. Cycling is always defined as a team sport, we should remember that when placing too much focus on only looking at the strong riders. Otherwise, help the Saudi start a rival Tour, solo no team (no drafting would make it too boring for spectators so not really solo). They will soon have plenty to invest now that LIV is dying.Mistermaumau30-01-2026
- Only what a few of them (and one or two sports personality managers) have told me about it wrt riding with strangers but hey, everyone is capable of lying, just as everyone is capable of writing illegal or worthless contracts. That said, there are obviously vast differences between certain riders and your average domestique, who probably aren’t even allowed to go skiing.Mistermaumau30-01-2026
- C’mon, what risk would such an Aryan looking angel without a mask run there at the moment ;-)Mistermaumau30-01-2026
- I wonder if he has a financial advisorMistermaumau30-01-2026
- You also suggested teams (even though we are discussing a solo rider) should pay for privatisation to avoid disrespect of road etiquette. But this would be totally pointless given road etiquette so I really don’t get what you’re campaigning for.Mistermaumau30-01-2026
- In other news, the leader of Team USA sues his team for showing paying fans and spectators his finances thereby potentially making fans and spectators pay even more for knowing what they’re paying for. Funny, the media is very focused on JV’s wife for one thing, Remco’s for another thing, Tadej’s for being, we’ll basically Tadej’s and show zero interest in anyone else’s partner or their personal affairs. I mean, aside WVA and MVDP we don’t even get to know if anyone even has a relationship unless they get killed or have their own cycling career. This is starting to get very paparazzi. What next, the content of their kids’ piggybanks?Mistermaumau30-01-2026
- could be...
maria2024202429-01-2026 - Yes. For sure. How sadYJKauf1329-01-2026
- I dont like the TTT in the TDF. Riders with potential to win or be in the top 5 or 10 can lose minutes with a weak team. Strong riders on strong teams love it cause it gets rid of potential competitionCyclingnut29-01-2026
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CHRISTOPHE LAPORTE IS THE 2023 EUROPEAN CHAMPION! 👏🇫🇷 He wins in front of his teammate Wout van Aert who caught him in the last meters but couldn't (or didn't want) to pass him. Incredible failure by Belgium. #EuroRoad23
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