"To be able to win a stage in a WorldTour race in my first year is really nice" - Axel Laurance takes biggest career victory at the Volta a Catalunya
Cycling
On an immensely successful day for Alpecin-Deceuninck, just moments after Mathieu van der Poel took victory at the E3 Saxo Classic, Axel Laurance sprinted to the stage 5 win at the 2024 Volta a Catalunya.
“It’s really amazing," reflected the 22-year-old Frenchman after powering to the win ahead of Marijn van den Bergh and Bryan Coquard in his post-stage interview. "It’s my first year in the WorldTour team, so to be able to win a stage in a WorldTour race in my first year is really nice for sure.”
“I was in a really good shape when I came here, and obviously I’m still in good shape," Laurance continued delightedly. "I was focusing on the first stage and this stage in particular, yesterday it was not the plan to sprint for me, but unfortunately I had to do it, by myself.”
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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Rafionain-Glas08-11-2026 - He is boring
leedorney08-11-2026 - To Twoje przemyślenia te bla, bla :)
Dariusz08-11-2026 - Uwielbiam patrzeć, jak wyjeżdża na czoło peletonu i zaczyna się rzeź...Dariusz08-11-2026
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parisbound0008-11-2026 - there needs to be space in life for pointless comments!Ketterechts08-11-2026
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🏆 @laurance_axel, una gran promesa brilla a Viladecans! 💥 Axel Laurence @AlpecinDCK, a rising star shines at Viladecans! #VoltaCatalunya103
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