Gent-Wevelgem 2023: Christophe Laporte and Wout van Aert go 1-2 for Jumbo-Visma on Belgian cobbles
The Frenchman defied rain and wind to lead a dominant display by the Dutch team and claim the prestigious classic race.
Cycling Road
Cristophe Laporte led a 1-2 finish for Team Jumbo-Visma at the 85th edition of the road cycling's Gent-Wevelgem on Sunday (26 March).
The 30-year-old Frenchman, who came second last year behind Eritrean Biniam Girmay, attacked on the Kemmelberg climb with 53km to go along with team-mate Wout van Aert and the duo gradually increased their lead over the chasing group.
Laporte and van Aert then came home together, holding hands before the finish line with the former crossing the line first.
Tokyo 2020 silver medallist van Aert collected his second podium of the season, following a third place at Milan San Remo and a win at Friday's E3 Saxo Classic, and is one of the favourites ahead of Sunday's Tour of Flanders.
"We just rode full-on until the last 8-10km maybe, then we were quite sure we had the victory for us. I won on Friday and my eyes are on the upcoming races. Christophe had a difficult start to the season due to a sickness. He's such a team player, so it was an easy decision (to let him win)," van Aert said after the race.
Fellow Belgian Sep Vanmarke rounded out the podium by winning the sprint for third place.
Results from men's Gent-Wevelgem 2023 on Sunday 26 March 2023 (top 10)
- Christophe Laporte (FRA - Jumbo-Visma) 5:49:39
- Wout van Aert (BEL - Jumbo-Visma) 0:00
- Sep Vanmarke (BEL - Israel-Premier Tech) 1:56
- Frederik Frison (BEL - Lotto Dstny) 1:56
- Mads Pedersen (DEN - Trek-Segafredo) 1:56
- Mikkel Bjerg (DEN - UAE Team Emirates) 1:56
- Alexis Renard (FRA - Cofidis) 2:04
- Olav Kooij (NED - Jumbo-Visma) 2:04
- Danny van Poppel (NED - BORA-Hansgrohe) 2:04
- Daniel Mclay (GBR - Team Arkea Samsic) 2:04