"Since the Tour de France, I've been suffering a little bit in training" - Visma's Per Strand Hagenes completes Paris-Tours smash and grab
Cycling
Per Strand Hagenes took the biggest classic victory of his career on Sunday at Paris-Tours, but after struggling with training following the Tour de France, he didn't believe that he would be competing for victory in the end.
Hagenes pulled off a perfectly timed attack inside the final kilometre of the race after a dramatic finale saw Visma | Lease a Bike play the numbers to their advantage. Pierre Gautherat kicked off a final phase attack as he attacked from the bunch as the day's breakaway were brought back.
Already depleted in numbers, Hagenes used the hesitation to bridge across with Paul Lapeira before others joined the fray - creating an 11-rider strong front group that included his teammate Christophe Laporte and high-profile riders like Lewis Askey, Jasper Stuyven and Jonas Abrahamsen.
But as the favourites prepared to sprint, Hagenes launched his winning move, holding off the rest as only Stuyven could get just ahead of the rest in chase and finish second. Laporte made it an even better day for the Dutch team as he rounded off the podium in second.
Hagenes pulled off a perfectly timed attack inside the final kilometre of the race after a dramatic finale
Visma rider struggled after Tour de France
Second at E3 Saxo Classic and winner of the Antwerp Port Epic, the Norwegian admitted that he didn't believe he would have the legs to take a win - both in the finale itself as well as during a demanding race.
"Well, it's a good feeling. To be honest, I didn't really believe in it during the race. I think I started to believe with 500 metres to go. Because I was marking a lot to make sure that we can at least do a sprint with Christophe for the wind," he told media after the race.
"And during the day also, I was suffering a little bit, but I kept on fighting and always came back. So, yeah, it was a nice day."
Hagenes uses Laporte in group to his advantage
Ending his season on a high in France, the versatile rider knew that with teammate Laporte in the final kilometres, they had a fast finisher for a sprint. But while policing moves at the front, he saw an opportunity to pounce for the win - ensuring the pace is also kept high for Laporte should the group come back together in the run-up to the line.
"It was a nice result. I think also, since the Tour de France, I've been suffering a little bit in training. I've been struggling to find the legs, but today they were good enough again. So, of course, it's a really nice feeling to end the season like this.
"I think it was quite clear. Christophe saved for the sprint, because I think in that group he would be the fastest. Yeah, you see in the end, he's third when it's the sprint there. Then it was up to me to mark [chase down any potential attacks, Ed.]. In the end, it was a nice opportunity to go for it. Then, of course, you try to do it."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- Can we get a comment from the UCI on this. The silence from Aigle is deafening! Come on cycling journalists , start annoying them to get a comment please.Paul53111-10-2026
- A shame to see him retire, I really liked him as a rider. His dignified tribute along with Matej Mohorovic to Gino Mader after his death was class and will always live in my memory. Enjoy your retirement.GregT11-10-2026
- A shame to see him retire, I really liked him as a rider. His dignified tribute along with Matej Mohorovic to Gino Mader after his death was class and will always live in my memory. Enjoy your retirement.GregT11-10-2026
- I thought Seixas had hit the end of the road from a fatigue standpoint, after the WC meltdown - and he still finished ok. This was impressive and an amazing return.mij11-10-2026
- totally, eating crow for breakfast this morning. after the world championships I thought we were looking at a late season fade from fatigue. way to go Paul!mij11-10-2026
- Well if UAE the best team in history comes knocking their the only team in the world who can get Seixas. Seixas will become unbeatable and incredible there. Lets see if he stays at decathlon or goes to UAE.miguel11-10-2026
- Pogi would have won the Vuelta at around 10 min. But it would have been boring for fools like you. Capish?PogiSloFans11-10-2026
- Rather than me describing the technology at length on here, If you google. Line-scan cameras. They are also sometimes called Slit-Scan cameras. Either search will fill you in. You can read all about how they. work. Enjoy! Just to be clear the cyclist is saying he wants to see exactly where the digital finish line is in relation to the actual physical finish. At this point we only have the word of the authority that the digital line corresponds to the exact starting edge of the physical finish line. That seems like a reasonable request to me.Prorodsandstuff11-10-2026
- 100% @Jumpyjohn, good point well raised.anonymouscyclist11-10-2026
- The media keep stirring the soup.. or spitting in it
leedorney11-10-2026
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