"I was waiting for this victory with impatience": Axel Laurance ends long drought with smart victory in Provence

Axel Laurance has finally released months of frustration. On Sunday, the 24-year-old French puncheur crossed the finish line alone in Arles to win the third and final stage of the Tour de La Provence. It was his first victory since the Tour of Norway in May 2024, and his first since joining INEOS in 2025.

Laurance spent the day in a 152-kilometer breakaway, but the race was decided in the final two kilometers. Facing a potential sprint against his last remaining companion, Daniel Arnes, Laurance used a roundabout to distance his rival and go solo to the win.

For Laurance, this result is a massive relief after a difficult debut season with his new team last year. "I was waiting for this victory with impatience," Laurance admitted after the finish in quotes gathered by Ciclism Actu. "As I said in several interviews before the start of the season, I reset everything to zero every year. Last year, I missed out every time. But this year, I was really motivated."

Almost everyone expected a bunch sprint in Arles, but INEOS Grenadiers had a different plan. They wanted to make the race hard for the Decathlon CMA CGM Team.

"We discussed it a bit with the sports directors and it's true that I wanted to race today," Laurance explained. "We are two cards with Dorian Godon for the sprint. We also wanted to put pressure on Decathlon CMA CGM, so we went full gas at the start of the stage and I think they panicked a bit because it was quite hard."

Once in the break, Laurance knew he was the favorite, but he also knew the situation was dangerous. "Everyone told me that I was the strongest, the fastest, [but] I told myself that it was going to be very, very hard to win in those conditions," he said.

The winning move came at a roundabout just before the finish. Laurance forced Arnes to take the longer line, creating the winning gap. "In the end, I think I did the perfect thing: I managed to lead Daniel Arnes to the left and I was able to go to the right," Laurance revealed. "If we had both stayed together, we would have been caught just before the finish. I had to play my all before the line."

Now that he has finally won with INEOS, Laurance is clear about his goals for 2026. He wants to return to being a winner. "As I said, it is to raise my arms," he stated regarding his ambitions. "I am a puncheur, I am explosive, so my job is to win races. Last year, that was not enough, even if I progressed well and did, I think, a very good Tour de France."

He is now targeting the biggest one-day races and Grand Tours. "The goal this year is to continue winning, no matter the races, everything is good to take. And obviously, to be better and better in the big classics, to get big results and to go for victories in the Grand Tours too. It is a career objective."

On Saturday, Laurance was seen working hard for his teammates, sacrificing his own chances. He believes this team spirit is key to their success. "Yes, I try to make efforts and we are a team, we are united, so everyone knows what they have to do," he said. "Every day, we try to give for one another. It is an exceptional atmosphere. Sometimes you have to know how to put yourself at the service of others to have your card later."