Tom Boonen is one of the most experienced and vocal voices within cycling and the cobbled classics particularly. Analyzing Jumbo-Visma, he believes that Christophe Laporte could be on the way out at the end of the season as other teams look to affirm their presence in the classics.
“I am quite sure that Laporte will leave for another team at the end of the season," Boonen said at the Wielerclub Wattage podcast. "Laporte is currently a key figure in making the Jumbo-Visma team nervous. I think Laporte has certainly received an offer from another team somewhere this week. Laporte is a coveted rider. There are many good teams, including a Belgian team, that could use a good leader."
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The Frenchman, winner of the recent Gent-Wevelgem and Dwars door Vlaanderen, has been vocal on his liking of the Dutch team, and has not only won this year but also took a stage win at the Tour de France in 2022. His presence in the classics became bigger despite losing the lead he had at Cofidis. The 30-year old's contract ends at the end of this season, and the classics legend argues that the team may look to maintain it's other leaders whilst Laporte may be lured by an attractive offer.
“Only there is no one available from the 'big three'," he says, referring to van Aert, van der Poel and Pogacar. "Then you quickly end up with a Laporte, who is at the end of his contract. At the moment, Laporte and Van Aert are teammates, who are going through a lot together. But next year that will look completely different when Laporte moves to another team. You can't turn back time," he argues.
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