Video: Axel Laurance channels Chris Froome moment after giving up bike at Flèche Wallonne
The finale of La Flèche Wallonne was marked by a series of crashes, though fortunately none resulted in serious injuries. Still, one of the most striking moments of the day came not from the fight for victory, but from an unusual scene involving Axel Laurance.
The INEOS Grenadiers rider handed over his bike to team leader Kévin Vauquelin following a mechanical issue in the final phase of the race. Left without a bike on an uphill section, Laurance briefly continued on foot before receiving assistance.
The image immediately evoked memories of Chris Froome’s now iconic run during the Tour de France, a moment that has become part of cycling folklore.
While Laurance’s effort was brief and far less dramatic, it did raise a playful question: is there something in the DNA of Team Sky and its successor INEOS Grenadiers?
Ultimately, while the sacrifice helped limit the damage, it was not enough to put Vauquelin in contention, as he finished 13th, while Laurance himself came home 129th, more than 12 minutes down.
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