After turbulent season, Laporte aims to peak again in 2026
# Christophe Laporte Sets Sights on a Stellar Comeback in 2026
After a tumultuous year, professional cyclist Christophe Laporte is ready to reclaim his place at the top of the cycling world. Reflecting on his journey, Laporte expressed his relief and renewed confidence following his triumph at the Tour of Holland. “If you had told me this a few months ago, I wouldn’t have believed it,” he remarked in October. “Personally, it was extremely important for me to return to a high level at the end of the season and head into the winter period with confidence. I didn’t want to constantly wonder whether I would ever be able to get back to my old level.”
As he gears up for the next cycling season, Laporte is feeling optimistic: “Now I’m convinced that I can. Next season, I want to be the best version of myself again. I feel good, actually better than I expected. During my vacation, I put the bike aside for three weeks and then happily started training again. Mentally, I’m fully recharged.”
### Overcoming Challenges
Reflecting on the previous year, the 33-year-old faced significant obstacles. A January diagnosis of cytomegalovirus forced him to sit out the spring races, marking the first time in a decade that he watched the Tour de France from the sidelines. “After riding the Tour de France ten years in a row, suddenly having to watch the race from the couch was a very strange experience,” Laporte shared.
Looking ahead, he anticipates his eleventh start at the renowned Tour de France, expressing pride in representing France. “As a French rider, the Tour de France is incredibly special, one of the most beautiful races of the year. I’m really looking forward to racing there again. As a team, we have a big goal: to win the Tour again with Jonas. I want to play my part in that.”
### Aiming for Classics Glory
Beyond the Tour, Laporte has set ambitious goals for the upcoming season. “As a team, we need to be at our best in the spring. Over the past two years, I wasn’t fit and largely had to skip most of the spring season. My goal now is to be in perfect shape again and to fight for victories with the team.” He has his sights set on major classics, emphasizing the significance of events such as Milan-Sanremo, the Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix. “Wherever we line up, we have to be racing for the win,” he asserted.
Laporte is particularly fixated on Paris-Roubaix, marked on his calendar for April 12, 2026. “I would love to win Paris–Roubaix one day. That’s my dream. Winning it as a French rider on home soil would be incredible. Of course, that race also requires a lot of luck. Hopefully this year will be our team’s day.”
### Embracing the Journey
As he prepares for the challenges that lie ahead, Laporte emphasizes personal enjoyment in the sport. “Personally, I just want to enjoy cycling again and be able to race as I used to. I feel like I’m still improving. My level at the end of the season was already quite strong, and I’m holding on to that feeling during the training camps now. As a team, we want to win the biggest races. To do that, I need to be at my very best in 2026,” he concluded.
Christophe Laporte is not just back on track; he’s set to soar in 2026, with a renewed sense of purpose and ambition.
