Wout van Aert adds Hamburg Cyclassics to schedule as Laporte finally makes comeback for Visma - "I was immediately on board when the idea came up"

Team Visma | Lease a Bike have announced their lineup for the ADAC Cyclassics Hamburg and within it are two men who were not expected to be at the start line in Germany. One is Christophe Laporte who finally starts his season in August after months of struggling with illness, whilst Wout van Aert is also going to be racing for the first time since the Tour de France.

“I was immediately on board when the idea came up earlier this week. Within my build-up and training plan, it only took a small adjustment to add this race," van Aert said in a press release issued by the team. "This is a WorldTour race that often turns into a battle between sprinters and strong classics riders. From my only participation in 2022, I know the course suits me well.”

He comes in to fill the position of Olav Kooij who dropped out and was meant to be leading the Dutch team. “After a strong Tour de Pologne, Olav began experiencing symptoms of illness this week. He turned out unfit to start. With Wout, we have a fantastic replacement ready. He is very motivated to make the most of the final part of his season.”

Van Aert will get to have the support of his trusted domestique Christophe Laporte who will race for the first time this year in the World Tour event, having struggled with the effects of a cytomegalovirus that took him out of the spring classics and Tour de France which had been outlined for him in the pre-season training camp. The Belgian will also have the support of Niklas Behrens, Attila Valter, Loe van belle, Menno Huising and Edoardo Affini. 

Wout van Aert
Christophe Laporte
Niklas Behrens
Atilla Valter
Loe van Belle
Menno Huising
Edoardo Affini