Wout van Aert: There was 'no discussion' over who would take E3 Saxo Bank Classic win, as Jumbo-Visma take 1-2
Christophe Laporte gave his teammate win in Harelbeke after 42km attack
Wout van Aert has said that there was no debate over who took the win at the end of the E3 Saxo Bank Classic, as he was victorious ahead of his teammate Christophe Laporte.
The pair had time to sit up and enjoy their efforts in the final 200m, with Laporte gifting his Belgian teammate the win.
It was reminiscent of the Frenchman's win on stage one of Paris-Nice a fortnight ago, when he was given the victory in front of his home fans by Van Aert and Primož Roglič.
Speaking straight after his win, Van Aert said: "There was not a discussion at all. There are a lot of races to go, and we will definitely end up in more difficult situations with a lot of guys around us.
"Sooner or later Christophe or someone else will get his chance. This is how we want to race, and this is the way everybody believes we have the biggest chance of winning."
It was his eighth top-three finish of the season, in just eleven races, and his third victory. Despite this, Van Aert argued: "Bike racing is really hard."
Laporte said that it was "incredible" to have a moment like he did at the end of the race, and that he was on the limit following his teammate.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"The team did a lot of amazing work today," he said. "We lost Tosh van der Sande at the start, which was really unfortunate for him. We had a lot of numbers at the front when it mattered, and we knew that the Paterberg was a really important part of the race…
"I was really on the limit on the climb that followed but I managed to hold on. It’s really incredible to have a moment like that with your teammate out front. I think Wout van Aert was easily the strongest today, definitely stronger than me."
His Jumbo-Visma team put on an exhibition, despite losing Tosh van der Sande in an early crash. As well as first and second, they had two more riders, Tiesj Benoot and Mike Teunissen, in the top-13. Van Aert said that the team's goal was to be "defensive" until the race split apart, at which time they could pounce.
"The team was impressive," he said. "I have to thank every single one of them for setting us up in the final. Big thank you to Christophe for giving me this victory, it means so much, and I’m really proud of my team.
"Bike racing is really hard. It’s one of the hardest races of the spring. I learned that our team is really on top of it. Really unfortunate that we lost Tosh in the beginning of the race, I hope his injuries at work. We stuck to the plan we had and every single one os us was impressive."
Next, the Belgian will target Gent-Wevelgem on Sunday, one week ahead of the big target, the Tour of Flanders on 3 April. His whole season to date has been built around this race, and Paris-Roubaix a fortnight after that.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Adam is Cycling Weekly’s news editor – his greatest love is road racing but as long as he is cycling, he's happy. Before joining CW he spent two years writing for Procycling. He's usually out and about on the roads of Bristol and its surrounds.
Before cycling took over his professional life, he covered ecclesiastical matters at the world’s largest Anglican newspaper and politics at Business Insider. Don't ask how that is related to cycling.
-
TV coverage of a bike race can leave you with a strange impression of a country
TV footage is deceptive so choose your illusion wisely
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel dominates in Leuven to win Gravel World Championships
The Dutchman adds another World Championship title to his palmarès as he solos to victory in the Flemish Brabant
By Joseph Lycett Published
-
Wout van Aert to stay at Visma-Lease a Bike for 'rest of his career'
The Belgian has signed a "unique" contract with his Dutch team, with an unknown end date
By Adam Becket Published
-
Wout van Aert out for rest of season with 'serious' knee injury
Visma-Lease a Bike rider requires intravenous antibiotics to reduce infection risk
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Wout van Aert’s 2023 Tour of Britain prize money still in limbo
Funds still outstanding after British Cycling agreed to honour prize money
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Wout van Aert to continue to 'chase opportunities' at Tour de France, provided Jonas Vingegaard is safe
'We want Wout to win a stage, but we have to look at it day by day', says Visma-Lease a Bike DS Frans Maassen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
How one phone call from Wout van Aert led to the Belgian riding the Tour de France
Visma-Lease a Bike sporting director Merijn Zeeman reveals Van Aert said he wanted "to do something special"
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Wout van Aert
From studying computer science at university through to what he eats for breakfast
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard and Wout van Aert to ride Tour de France for Visma-Lease a Bike
The pair will lineup in Florence next Saturday after recovering from their respective injuries
By Adam Becket Published
-
Have Visma-Lease a Bike unofficially announced their Tour de France team with Jonas Vingegaard and Wout van Aert?
The reigning two-time champion has been part of team’s final altitude training camp in Tignes before Florence Grand Départ
By Tom Thewlis Published