INTERVIEW. Cycling: ambitions, development, life with van der Poel… French nugget Axel Laurance opens up

He is one of the revelations of the beginning of the season. After discovering Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders this year, Frenchman Axel Laurance will take his first steps on the third monument, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, on Sunday 21 April. They expect him there as one of the lieutenants of the great Mathieu van der Poel, determined to impose himself on the “Doyen of Classics” for the first time.

The one who just celebrated his 23rd birthday stood out with two victories in 2024, at the Etoile de Bessèges stage ahead of former world champion Mads Pedersen, then in the World Tour at the Tour of Catalonia. Since his arrival in 2023 in Alpecin-Deceuninck, Morbihannais has reached a turning point.

Coach of the French team and consultant for France Télévisions, Thomas Voeckler promises him a future “very promising” : “He has a solid foundation that thrives and is healthy because of it.”. During the interview, the person in question feels comfortable, sure of himself, but above all he does not want to skip.

Franceinfo: sport: Did you expect such a good start to the season?

Axel Laurance : This winter I felt that I really reached a new level. I felt much stronger. The goal was to be in good shape from the start in order to perform well at the Grand Prix La Marseillaise and the Etoile de Bessèges. I worked hard all winter and it paid off in the first race of the season. When you win quickly, it motivates you, it gives you full confidence for the future.

You lived there less than two years agothe disappearance of your B&B Hotels-KTM team when you have just experienced your first full season in the pros. How do you view your trajectory?

Obviously, these are not things we can imagine. There were a lot of twists and turns with this story, it was a bit rushed, but I kept going, not wanting to skip any steps. For me, it remains a logical continuation of my progress. Every year I reach a new level. I’ve done 2023 in development and now find myself at the biggest races on the calendar. I continue step by step. All this means that this year I can show my full potential.

Regarding your profile, can we describe you as a batsman?

In a broader sense, we can say that. But the truth is that I have a rather special profile, a bit like Michael Matthews with whom I see more and more similarities. I’m pretty fast, but I’m not yet one of the real hitters who go through the bumps well. I’m a little between the lines. I generally like the classics: cobblestone, Ardennes… But I can express myself on a lot of terrain. I think you could call me a sprinter batsman.

What race would you dream of winning one day?

I always said it would be a Strade Bianche. I have participated in a lot of big races this year and it is true that the Tour of Flanders, when you see the public, is (tempting). I think it will be the same in Liège… I don’t have a specific race in mind anymore, but the big events make me want to.

What’s your state of mind before Liège-Bastogne-Liège, a few days after Flèche Wallonne with terrible weather conditions?

We didn’t really expect to collect so much. It was one of my most dangerous days on the bike. It was horrible, but the fact that I finished the race (18th at the finish and only 44 runners crossed it) gave me some confidence. If I can survive this day, it’s because I can do it again on Sunday.

What will be your role around Mathieu van der Poel on Sunday?

We will all be around Mathieu. We have to be smarter (than the opponent) because he won’t necessarily be a big favorite. Tadej Pogačar will be there with a big team. We will be in a more defensive position compared to previous races. It’s not up to us to run the race. The pattern will be different. In races like this there is positioning, but in the end it’s the pedal that makes the difference. Difficulties come so much that one cannot lie too much.

What is everyday life like with a runner like Mathieu van der Poel?

He is a very simple guy. We understand that he is human. He is a super simple, relaxed and calm person. He never seems nervous, or at least he doesn’t show it.

“Now, Mathieu has an experience that allows him to know himself perfectly. He is a unique person who is able to reproduce what he does.”

Axel Laurance

on Franceinfo: sport

The day he retires we will realize all he has accomplished. When we are at the start of Milan-San Remo or the Tour of Flanders, and he is the leader, it is very pleasant because there is always a challenge and a goal.

What stands out to you most about the way Alpecin-Deceuninck runs and supervises its runners?

It’s a very efficient team. She doesn’t have the biggest budget of all, but everything is budgeted. It’s a very good atmosphere. Between runners, we all get along really well. When we come to the races, we have fun. We are looking for performance, but also the well-being of runners. It is very important to me that you feel free, that someone is not constantly telling you what to eat, for example. They let us do it. They assume that if you are a professional, you know what to do.

To what extent did the year spent in the development team allow you to develop?

I learned to get into the spirit of the team. It was completely different for me. We run as a team. With B&B, the idea was to see who is good and eventually adapt. Things were less settled. There, at every race, there is a plan to follow. The goal was also to stay in a category where I can win races. With my profile, that’s important. I had to save this grin for the finale. It was the right choice because I won three races last year. We are much less afraid when we know that we are capable of winning.

How did you digest your title of U23 World Champion in 2023? Some of your predecessors did not confirm after this title…

I think I saw things on the positive side. I didn’t get carried away with the topic. I immediately tried to switch, to tell myself that it was a race like any other and that I had to win again. It did me more good than anything else. This allowed me to put things into perspective and take the races much more calmly. I am less stressed, I put less unnecessary pressure on myself. It really changed me.

You also did cyclo-cross and track cycling. Does this help you on the road today?

I even started BMX for eight years. Then I trained all three disciplines at the same time. He gave me the whole technical and tactical background. They can adapt to almost any situation. This is what makes me strong and what allows me to be the complete runner I am today. I have very good tactical vision. This is a big advantage, even with crashes, because you have to be pretty technical on your bike (to avoid them). I’m quite skilled and manage to do well in these situations.

Can we imagine you at the Tour de France or the Olympic road race?

The team did not plan me for the Grand Tour. We never talked about the Tour de France. It will focus on Jasper Philipsen. I don’t think I have a job there because I’m not part of his (sprint) train. We won’t say it’s too early, because I think I’m capable of participating. But I don’t want to go to the Tour de France just to say I did it. The day I come, I will be able to conquer the stage.

It is still a little too early for the Olympics. There are only four places. That’s nothing, especially for a nation like France. It is a special race, with 90 runners and a lot of kilometers. Runners like Christophe Laporte can have it in their heads. If I get invited, yes, that’s amazing and I’ll do anything to be there, but it’s surreal, for me, to make it a personal goal for me this year.