🇧🇪 #FamenneArdenneClassic 💬 “We rode attractively, as we wanted to.” – sports director Arthur van Dongen Read more in our report! ✍️ ⤵️
"We rode attractively, as we wanted to" - Christophe Laporte unable to win on first outing in European Champions jersey at Famenne Ardenne Classic
CyclingMonday, 02 October 2023 at 12:30
In his first outing as European Champion, Christophe Laporte was unable to claim victory at the Famenne Ardenne Classic, instead having to settle as Arnaud De Lie took a spectacular victory.
"We rode attractively, as we wanted to," reflected Jumbo-Visma Sports Director Arthur Van Dongen post-race. "We wanted to make a difference by anticipating the many breakaways. We did that well. While we did not win today, I am proud of how our riders carried out our plans. We could have chosen to do nothing and wait for the sprint, but we wanted to give as many riders as possible the chance to do something.”
Read also
Sadly for Laporte and the rest of the riders in the peloton, De Lie was simply unstoppable in the final sprint. Even a broken cleat that forced the Belgian to ride the final 50m one-legged was not enough to deny De Lie the victory.
Van Dongen was also keen to mention the performances of Development Team riders Colby Simmons and Per Strand Hagenes. "With Loe (van Belle) dropping out, Colby was called up at the last minute”, Van Dongen said. "He rode well today. Per also proved that he is very good at this type of course and can compete with the best here. I am happy with our team's performance today.”
claps 0visitors 172
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- He can keep contending for Vuelta podium spots. A lot would need to go wrong for others and everything right for him to get on the Giro podium. He'll only be on the TdF podium if he's becomes a podium presenter.Veganpotter27-12-2024
- I like that, mind if I use it from now on? Better than using his name which always gets me worried about Google hits and giving him the excuse he was bound to behave the way he did from the derived verb.Mistermaumau27-12-2024
- This website needs clicks so just vacuums up what is available and loves anything that creates discussion.Mistermaumau27-12-2024
- Their battles are only interesting or special when both are in good shape and unfortunately it’s been a few years since that was last the case, road cycling tends to put an end to most side careers, MVDP still being a rare exception.Mistermaumau27-12-2024
- Hope it’s not his coz’ that’s no longer so stylish except in dubaious (sic) circles, not sure traditionally brought up people realise that yet but one day it will filter down.Mistermaumau27-12-2024
- Yes, generally Jonas is a better climber than Tadej, but he's a little lighter. This year he was much lighter than he's been since I've watching him, which I think worked against him some. I have a feeling he will bring it next year but we may see something like we saw this year. We'll have to see, can't wait for the racing to start again.awp27-12-2024
- Oh boy, here we go again, then also ask all the other what ifs, what if Merckx hadn’t been punched in the gut (probably the event that made his mind click that maybe he didn’t need « pro » cycling until the end of his relatively short career. What if he’d not have had the need or pressure to focus on GC but could just pick and choose stages like Cav. What if he’d known people would make a big thing out of that number, he’d also easily could have screwed it up to 40-45 and denied Cav what he got now.Mistermaumau27-12-2024
- I hope Van Aert can come back once more. He is one of the transcendent talents of this era, but he has had such terrible accidents. It's hard to imagine the will and dedication it takes to rehabilitate and remount.
MarkFour27-12-2024 - RIP Belgium is so dangerous for cyclists, and sooo bad at improving things.Mistermaumau27-12-2024
- IMHO, Jonas climbing is a little better than Tadej but I agree with him: unless you are a frustrated hater, it is impossible not to be fascinated by Tadej's versatility. I have never watched Merckx (or Hinault) then I am grateful to live in this period and can watch the awesome Tadej.
maria2024202427-12-2024