Visma-Lease a Bike Hit by Another Setback as Laporte Sits Out Ename Samyn Classic
Visma-Lease a Bike’s challenging start to the 2026 season continues, with Christophe Laporte now sidelined from the Ename Samyn Classic. The team confirmed on Tuesday morning that the Frenchman is “not feeling 100% fit,” forcing him out of the race.
Laporte’s Recent Form and Previous Struggles
Laporte had shown promising form recently, finishing fourth at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and leading out Matthew Brennan to victory at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. This performance marked a positive step in his comeback after a difficult 2025 season, largely impacted by cytomegalovirus. The virus caused significant fatigue and forced him to miss key races, including the Classics and the Tour de France.
His recent stage win at the Vuelta a Andalucía signaled a return to his previous level, but a subsequent crash set back his progress. Despite the setback, Laporte’s strong showing at the Opening Weekend events had boosted team morale.
Impact on Visma-Lease a Bike’s Lineup
Visma-Lease a Bike will proceed with a six-rider squad for the Ename Samyn Classic, foregoing a replacement for Laporte. Wout van Aert, recently recovered from illness, will lead a young team including Per Strand Hagenes, Loe van Belle, neo-pro Pietro Matteo, and Visma Development riders Matisse Van Kerckhove and Aldo Taillieu.
A Pattern of Awful Luck for the Dutch Squad
This latest development adds to a string of misfortunes for Visma-Lease a Bike in the early weeks of the 2026 season. Both Wout van Aert and Jonas Vingegaard have experienced crashes, and the team earmarked for Opening Weekend has also faced challenges. The team has enjoyed success in the past, winning three of the last four editions of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad with Wout van Aert, Dylan van Baarle, and Jan Tratnik, and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne in 2023 and 2024 with Tiesj Benoot and Van Aert.
Though, the team acknowledged shortcomings in their positioning during last year’s races, and Head of Racing Grischa Niermann emphasized the need for a more aggressive approach and a strong performance from riders like Laporte.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What caused Christophe Laporte to withdraw from the Ename Samyn Classic?
A: The team reported that he is “not feeling 100% fit.”
Q: Will Visma-Lease a Bike replace Laporte in the lineup?
A: No, the team will proceed with a six-rider squad.
Q: What challenges has Visma-Lease a Bike faced in the 2026 season so far?
A: The team has dealt with crashes involving Wout van Aert and Jonas Vingegaard, and now Laporte’s illness.
Q: Has Laporte struggled with illness before?
A: Yes, he missed much of the 2025 season due to cytomegalovirus.
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