Laporte starts season with convincing victory in Ruta del Sol
# Christophe Laporte Kicks Off Season with Impressive Win at Ruta del Sol
Christophe Laporte has made a remarkable start to his season by clinching victory in the first stage of the Ruta del Sol. “It’s fantastic to start the season this way,” Laporte expressed after crossing the finish line. “I really wanted to ride a few races before the classics season starts. I had a good winter and was looking forward to starting my season today.” Throughout the race, Laporte felt strong and kept pace with the climbers, asserting control alongside his team.
The Spanish stage race began energetically with Victor Campenaerts launching an early solo attack, earning ten points in the mountain classification at the top of the Puerto del Madrono. This effort secured him the mountain jersey for the following day, even as he was caught shortly after by the peloton, which had split midway through the race.
“In the final, the team did an excellent job of bringing me to the front,” Laporte noted, highlighting the support he received from his teammates. Despite starting his sprint earlier than planned, he adjusted his strategy and timed his final push perfectly. “I followed the wheel of the riders in front of me and started the sprint at about 200 meters. I went full to the finish line and saw that I had enough of a lead. It’s great to be able to finish the work of my teammates like this.”
This win is particularly significant for Laporte, who has battled through a challenging previous season marred by health issues. He made a successful return in October by winning the Tour of Holland and now adds another victory to his impressive comeback.
Marc Reef, the sports director, praised the team dynamics during the race: “Victor jumped away immediately after the start and created a good situation for us. Our men were very sharp and Christophe in particular showed that he is in good shape. It’s great that he’s taken a victory right away after a difficult year. He really deserves it.” This win marks Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s second victory of the young season, setting a positive tone for the races to come.
### Stage 1 Results:
1. **Christophe Laporte** – Team Visma | Lease a Bike – 03:34:39
2. **Bastien Tronchon** – Groupama – FDJ United
3. **Ben Oliver** – Modern Adventure Pro Cycling
40. **Victor Campenaerts** – Team Visma | Lease a Bike
75. **William Smith** – Team Visma | Lease a Bike
76. **Axel Zingle** – Team Visma | Lease a Bike
77. **Loe van Belle** – Team Visma | Lease a Bike
78. **Filippo Fiorelli** – Team Visma | Lease a Bike
79. **Matisse Van Kerckhove** – Team Visma | Lease a Bike
As Laporte continues to find his rhythm, cycling enthusiasts eagerly await how he and his team will perform in the upcoming stages.
