French Christopher Laporte (Jumbo Visma) finished second in the 65th edition of the E3 Grand Prix this Friday in Harelbeke, following a duet final with its leader, Wout van Aert.
“The team did an amazing job. I heard in the headset that we were two in the Paterberg. Everyone was fully behind but there was already a 20 second gap to plug, which was not easy to do. Wout was very strong. The tactic of staying in pairs to help him in the more rolling parts was the right one. All of that, being up front at the Taaienberg was part of the plan and restarting with Wout up front in the Paterberg was also in the team’s script. In the Paterberg, Wout went full speed ahead, and I was the only one able to follow him. Finally, I was really at the limit, and he had to wait for me at the top! In the bumps following, he was incredibly strong, but you had to stay in pairs. It’s amazing to live moments like that. Wout was really the strongest today, he dragged me a bit in the mountains, he deserves his victory. There were no questions to ask.“
Referring to the upcoming Tour of Flanders, the French rider stressed the importance of staying healthy by the Flanders monument. “I think we have shown since the start of the season that we are strong but next week will be another race, there are a lot of sick people in the peloton. The most important thing will be to keep healthy. As far as I’m concerned, I’m physically the same as in 2021, but mentally I’m stronger, I’m in one of the best teams in the world, you still see yellow up front. I push my limits, having teammates make me want to surpass myself is very motivating.“
