Wout van Aert will 'regret' letting Christophe Laporte win Gent-Wevelgem – Eddy Merckx and Tom Boonen wade in

27.03.2023 - 13:49 eurosport.com

Belgian legend Eddy Merckx has admitted he would not have gifted a team-mate victory like Wout van Aert did for Christophe Laporte at Gent-Wevelgem, while Tom Boonen has suggested the Jumbo-Visma star will “regret” his kindness.

Van Aert escaped with Laporte after an attack on the penultimate ascent of the Kemmelberg. Once the pair had built an unassailable lead, the 2021 champion decided to let the Frenchman take victory.

Ad It was reminiscent of scenes from the opening stage at Paris-Nice last year, when Laporte led home Primoz Roglic and Van Aert after the Jumbo trio broke away.

Gent — WevelgemLaporte wins Gent-Wevelgem from Van Aert after Jumbo-Visma masterclassA DAY AGO «I won on Friday [E3 Saxo Classic] and I have my sights set on the races to come.

Barcelona cycling sprint win Eddy Merckx Tadej Pogacar Christophe Laporte Belgium Uae

There will be another mouthwatering Classics match-up at the 2023 Amstel Gold Race on Sunday as Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Britain's Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) go head-to-head. The pair were both in the field at the recent Tour of Flanders but experienced contrasting fortunes, Pogacar taking the win after a late solo breakaway, while Pidcock made a «stupid» fuelling mistake that meant he was not in contention at the front of the race.

Wout van Aert will be 'absolutely gutted' as puncture ruins 'faultless' Paris-Roubaix – Adam Blythe

Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) will be “absolutely gutted” after a puncture derailed his “faultless race” at Paris-Roubaix, according to Eurosport expert Adam Blythe. The Belgian looked ominously strong as he dropped a blistering attack on the Carrefour de l'Arbre, just moments after chief rival Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin–Deceuninck) had collided with John Degenkolb (DSM), causing the latter rider to crash. Ad But promise turned to despair for Van Aert within a kilometre as a rear-wheel puncture allowed Van der Poel to disappear into clear air and leave the 28-year-old leading a forlorn chase.

Paris-Roubaix 2023: 'Drama!' - 90 seconds of chaos as John Degenkolb crashes and Wout van Aert punctures

An extraordinary 90 seconds at Paris-Roubaix saw eventual race winner Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin–Deceuninck) collide with John Degenkolb (DSM), who was sent sprawling to the cobblestones, and Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) suffer a puncture just moments after putting the hammer down. It was a passage that defined the 2023 race and ensured there would be no head-to-head showdown between Van der Poel and Van Aert, who were both chasing their maiden victory in the cobbled Monument. Ad Here’s how the carnage on the brutal cobbles of Carrefour de l’Arbre unfolded… Paris — RoubaixThe moment Van der Poel won Paris-Roubaix3 HOURS AGO 16.4km remaining: Degenkolb crashes Degenkolb, enjoying a stunning resurgence at a race he won in 2015, moved across to the dirt track running alongside the cobblestones.

Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel wins Paris-Roubaix cycling race

The 28-year-old Dutch rider produced a string of aggressive attacks before the decisive move on the epic 256.6km race which included 54.5km of rough cobbles.

Mathieu van der Poel takes solo win at Paris-Roubaix after Wout van Aert puncture and John Degenkolb crash

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin–Deceuninck) soloed to a maiden victory at Paris-Roubaix after a puncture derailed the hopes of Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma). The win was not without a slither of controversy after the Dutchman sent John Degenkolb (DSM) tumbling to the cobbles with 16km remaining.

Paris-Roubaix contender Wout van Aert says he's still 'suffering' from Flanders crash - ‘I could be better’

Wout van Aert says he isn’t feeling in top shape ahead of his bid for Paris-Roubaix glory on Sunday as the Belgian continues to recover from a nasty crash at the Tour of Flanders. The Jumbo-Visma rider finished fourth at last weekend's cobbled Classic and was left with a bloodied knee after going down with 141km remaining. Ad Van Aert is expected to face off with rival Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) at the hotly anticipated 120th edition of the ‘Hell of the North’ Monument in northern France.