Per Strand Hagenes wins Paris-Tours after late attack

Per Strand Hagenes, a 23-year-old Norwegian cyclist for Visma | Lease a Bike, won the 120th edition of Paris-Tours on Sunday. Hagenes secured the victory by launching a decisive attack within the final kilometer, holding off a small elite group to finish ahead of Jasper Stuyven of Soudal-Quickstep, who finished two seconds later. Teammate Christophe Laporte completed the podium in third place.

The 216-kilometer race, which ran from Chartres to Tours, featured challenging terrain including nine climbs and ten gravel sectors totaling approximately 10 kilometers. The race was characterized by high speeds, tactical maneuvering, and several crashes and mechanical issues. Visma | Lease a Bike played a significant role in the finale, utilizing their numerical advantage to control the chase and set up the winning move.

Hagenes, a former cross-country skier, expressed surprise at his victory, noting that he initially struggled with his form but found the strength to attack late in the race. This win marks a significant milestone for the Norwegian rider and provides a strong conclusion to the season for Team Visma | Lease a Bike.