Christophe Laporte signed with
Jumbo-Visma into a more supportive role for Wout van Aert, but has without a doubt had his best season up to date with yet another win taken today at Binche-Chimay-Binche.
"It is very nice to take another win in this successful year. If I had known before the season that I would achieve these performances, I would have signed for it immediately," Laporte said after the finish. Besides all the strong performances in the spring classics, the Frenchman took wins at the Tour de France, Paris-Nice, Tour of Denmark - where he won the overall classification - and more recently a second place in the World Championships. It seemed like a season that could not improve further, but he proved that wrong today.
"It was a hard race that started early with attacks. In the final I wanted to go to the finish with a compact group, but that turned out differently than expected," he continued. He was a part of some early attacks, but the 29-year old instigated the main attack with 11 kilometers together with Rasmus Tiller that would see the win discussed between the two of them.
"In the end I took the lead with Rasmus and in the final phase we had it both tough. I had a little bit of energy left and gave everything until the finish. Luckily it was enough for the win," he said. Laporte looked the strongest on the day, and rode away from the Norwegian in the final cobbled sector, to take another solo win to finish off an incredible season.
"The legs were already good at the World Championships and I also had good legs today. In addition, the team was very strong and worked hard. I am happy that I was able to finish it," he concluded. He will be a prime candidate for this Sunday's Paris-Tours, however surely there will be little pressure to gather even more success.