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 in 2021 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 riding bikes.
-
Lidl-Trek, EF Education-EasyPost among first teams to seize ‘the only chance to race in the United States’
With a world-class field of competitors, organisers hope to showcase professional cycling to American spectators and reignite fan interest
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
'This sucks': Brixton Cycles closes its doors after 42 years
Iconic London shop announces closure after premises listed on property site
By James Shrubsall Published
-
'We did a beautiful race up until 10km to go' - Visma-Lease a Bike pull defeat from the jaws of victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen
With such a difficult second place on Wednesday, could this performance affect confidence ahead of the Tour of Flanders?
By Adam Becket Published
-
'I never thought in a million years I would beat Wout in a sprint' - Neilson Powless shocks with improbable Dwars door Vlaanderen win
Visma-Lease a Bike put on a show of force ahead of the Tour of Flanders on Sunday but came away without the victory in Waregem
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel surges to E3 Saxo Classic victory after dropping Mads Pedersen on the Oude Kwaremont
Dutchman untouchable in West Flanders after distancing Pedersen and Filippo Ganna on decisive climb
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m left with ambitions I no longer get to chase' - 26-year-old pro cyclist forced to retire over heart issues
Lars van den Berg reveals "worst nightmare" with cardiologists revealing that the risks are "too great"
By Adam Becket Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel vs Wout van Aert: Cyclo-cross World Championships form guide
Van Aert was a surprise addition to the CX Worlds lineup last weekend after he was initially not scheduled to race in Liévin
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Changing the final Tour de France stage in Paris is an exciting prospect but I think it should be for one year only
The race's organisers were reported to be exploring the possibility of bringing the cobbled streets of Montmartre into the race’s final stage in Paris this summer
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Should Wout van Aert ride for GC at a Grand Tour?
The Belgian superstar's main ambitions in 2025 are finally winning the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Tom Pidcock to miss cyclocross season to build for road with new Q36.5 team
Former world champ says he won’t race his CX bike this winter, Wout van Aert will ride six races
By Tom Thewlis Published